SUMMARY

Both these sides enter the finals in red-hot form.

The Power have won eight of their past nine games, including the last six in a row, while the Cats have saluted in seven of their past nine. The Power begin September seeking their first Grand Final appearance in 12 seasons under coach Ken Hinkley but they’ll have to get through the Cats, who missed the finals last year after winning the flag in 2022.

The prize of a home preliminary final is enormous, with the alternative being a road to the Grand Final through Sydney, where either the Swans or Giants will await.

Where and when: Adelaide Oval, Thursday September 5, 7.10pm ACST

FINALS FOCUS: Clarko’s big Carlton concern, who Giants should tag

Alastair Clarkson and Matthew Lloyd join host Sarah Olle for Finals Focus ahead of Week 1

WHAT HAPPENED THIS YEAR?

Round nine: Port Adelaide 15.11 (101) defeated Geelong 14.11 (95) at GMHBA Stadium

In one of the games of the season, Port Adelaide pulled off a successful raid at the Cattery in round nine, winning by six points. The game looked all but over at half-time when the Power led by 41 points, having led by as much as 49 midway through the second quarter, but Geelong roared home on the back of four goals from Tyson Stengle and Zach Guthrie’s rebound from defence to close within a kick in the dying minutes. Willie Rioli also had four goals for Port, while Zak Butters (34 disposals, one goal) and Jason Horne-Francis (26 disposals, one goal) were brilliant for the Power.