AFL Finals 2024 Recap: Port Adelaide lose Charlie Dixon on the eve of clash with Hawthorn
Port Adelaide are fighting to keep their season alive, while Ken Hinkley may be fighting for his future, but have already suffered a blow with Charlie Dixon ruled out ahead of their clash with the hot Hawks.
Rumours are swirling Hinkley could be moved on should the Power go out in straight sets after their thrashing at the hands of Geelong last weekend.
They welcome the most dangerous team in the competition with Hawthorn continuing a dream run having lost their first five games of the season.
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Final quarter underway
Horne-Francis has had some work done on his quad and is starting as the deep forward. But it’s Georgiades who finds the hole in the defence to take the mark. He sprays it badly to the left.
Todd Marshall is out and Will Lorenz is on for the Power.
THREE QUARTER TIME PORT ADELAIDE 7.8 (50) HAWTHORN 7.3 (45)
Horne-Francis sends Port forward for one last attack but Sicily intercepts and that will do it for the third quarter. The Hawks hit the front through Nick Watson’s back to back goals but Port maintain a slender lead heading into the final quarter.
The tackle pressure reamins high and there were some tired bodies towards the end of that quarter. The game could really open up in this last quarter if fatigue really sets in.
Breust has one in game 300
The Hawks have locked the ball forward and Dylan Moore gets another free for coppoing one high. He chips to Luke Breust and from 40m out nails the kick to bring the margin abck to 5.
Hawks horror
Hawthorn intercept again but Blake Hardwick kicks it stright into the Port player running past and Darcy Byrne-Jones cleans it up and dribbles thoruhg his second goal.
End-to-end stuff
The ball is pinging from half-back to half-forward which should suit the Hawks better. But Port get a lucky break and a beaufigul kick finds Willie Rioli in the forward 50. He steers it through to put the Power back in front.
Sub activated
Gunston is off and Breust is on.
Hawks in front
The Wiz is channeling his powers here. He takes a strogn contested mark and he nails the shot to have two in two minutes.
Hawthorn have kicked five of the last six to take the lead.
To add more fuel to Port’s fans fire the ball was out of bounds before Watson’s first goal.
Watson gets his first
He wins the free for a high-tackle after he stayed low. He nails the kick from around the corner to cut the margin back to 3.
Second half underway
The Power attack the centre boucne but they miss the ball and the Hawks get out the back. The Hawks lock it forward but Horne-Francis clears it for the Power.
