Port Adelaide captain Tom Jonas says there’s no fear factor about AFL heavyweights Richmond in Friday night’s preliminary final.
Jonas says Port, who have cleared Xavier Duursma and Todd Marshall of injuries, hold a deep respect for the Tigers.
But he says there’s no reason to be intimidated by Richmond, who have won two of the past three premierships and are about to play in a fourth consecutive preliminary final.
“I like to feel like a bit of an underdog, like we’re trying to knock them off,” Jonas told reporters on Monday.
“Despite (Port) beating them earlier in the year and finishing top, they have got the runs on the board over the last three years.
“But at the same time we’re well aware that we have played a lot of good footy this year and we should completely back-in our game plan.
“We definitely shouldn’t play second-fiddle or be intimidated by them.
“You have got to respect what they have done … there is obviously a lot of great players in their team and they have performed on the big stage pretty well for a long time.
“You acknowledge that. And then you focus on yourself.”
Jonas declared Duursma and Marshall certain starters for the Adelaide Oval final.
Duursma suffered concussion in Port’s qualifying final triumph against Geelong while Marshall received treatment for a shoulder injury.
And the Power skipper said his club would take heart from their 21-point win over the Tigers in round 11.
That victory came against a Richmond side missing frontliners including captain Trent Cotchin, Shane Edwards, Bachar Houli and Dion Prestia.
“That was a quintessential Richmond side and they played their same style,” Jonas said.
“Yeah, there were a few people missing. But the bones were the same.
“And we like to think we have improved as a team since that time as well.
“We have got that great balance of youth and excitement and blokes who just aren’t afraid, those young boys just go out there and play their natural game.
“And we have got the experienced boys so if things do get tight, they know exactly what to do and they can give some great direction.
“Having won that qualifying final in a big game, that also gives you a heap of confidence as well.”