AFL: Port aim to shoot down high-flying Hawks

Port Adelaide will be desperate to avoid another quick exit from finals when they take on a Hawthorn side that are on a roll.

The Power went out of finals in straight sets last season and now need to beat the Hawks to avoid the same things happening again.

Port were smashed by Geelong in last week’s qualifying final and need to bounce back against Hawthorn.

Ken Hinkley’s men are now the big outsiders at 17.00 to go on and win the 2024 grand final.

Hawthorn on the other hand are 6.50 to win the flag, and will be many peoples pick following a strong end to the season.

They were impressive against the Bulldogs in the elimination final, and a trip to the Adelaide Oval will hold no fear for them.

Let’s take a look at the opening semi-final clash.

. What: Port Adelaide v Hawthorn
. Where: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
. When: 19:40 (AEST), Friday 13th September
. How to watch: Kayo, Foxtel, Channel 7
. Odds: Port Adelaide 2.30, Hawthorn 1.62

Port need to bounce back

Port had won four games on the bounce heading into finals, so the 138-54 home defeat against Geelong last week, will have been a shock to the system.

But now they get a second chance and must grab it with both hands.

When the two sides met at the Adelaide Oval in round 10 this season, it was a thriller, with Port winning by just one point.

They would take the same again, and can be backed at 5.50 to win by 1-12 points on Friday night.

Port Adelaide have been boosted by the news that Zac Butters should be able to take his place in the side.

The midfielder picked up a rib injury against Geelong and is ready to play through the pain to help his side.

He can be backed at 2.50 to collect 30+ disposals in the game, while Connor Rozee is the same price to do the same.

Hawks on a roll

Hawthorn were one of the form teams coming into finals, and the way they saw off the Bulldogs in the elimination final was very impressive.

Many believe they can now go all the way, but a trip to the Adelaide Oval will be a test of their premiership credentials.

They may have lost there by a point in round 10, but they are a completely different side these days and will be full of confidence.

It is not all good news for head coach Sam Mitchell as gun midfielder Will Day has been ruled out through injury.

However they should still have enough quality in the side to get the job done.

Jack Ginnivan is one such player and now needs to do his talking on the pitch, after stoking the fires off it.

The former Collingwood man can be backed at 15.00 to kick the first goal of the game or 1.33 to score at anytime.