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.
Follow all the action live.
Second half underway
And the power are on the board again. Horne-Francis, who has had a terrific start ot this game puts on the jets to get the ball on the wing and then tees it up for Georgediades to take a strong mark. His kick is true and the Power lead by 19.
FIRST QUARTER PORT ADELAIDE 2.3 (15) HAWTHORN 0.2 (2)
A goalless quarter for the Hawks which is not something we’ve been used to saying in recent weeks. Port got five holding-the-ball decisions which shows you the heat they’ve brought. They recorded 14 inside 50s to eight but had just two goals for it.
It’s a strong start for the Power but their inefficency inside 50 could cost them.
Marshall converts
It’s helter-skelter stuff but the riski kicks are coming off for Port at the moment. Thye show great effort to keep the ball alive before Riloli cleans it up and has great vision to see Marshall unmarked and finds him with the centering kick.
He converts to give Port their second major.
Georgiades misses
Finally the Power kick to the advantage of one of their forwards but it’s still a tricky kick from 45 on a tight angle. He pushes it across the left and despite their dominance the Power’s lead is only 6.
Power not getting reward for effort
Port Adelaide are dominanting this game but their entries inside 50 have been poor allowing the Hawks defenders to intercept.
A rare foray forward for the Hawks fizzle out as they overuse the handball to put themselves under pressure and its kicked out on the full.
Tensions high
A brawl threatens to break out with Blake Hardwick going after Rioli but the umpires diffuse it by throwing the ball in. Rioli probably should have got a free kick.
Port a winning the clearance battle early but the Hawks eventually releive the pressure as Rioli’s kick inside 50 goes stright to Impey.
Chol has a shot at the other end but it’s rushed over.
Port get the first
Power have showed plenty of intent in their tackling as Willie Rioli tries to grab Worpel before Rozee brings him down to win the free.
He snaps around the corner and the Power strike first.
Here we go
The songs have been sung the players are in position and we are ready to go. Will Lorenz is the sub for the Power.
Hawthorn win the first clearance and Nick Watson is caught high despite the efforts of Zerk-Thatcher. His drags his set shot across the face however for a behind.
Contrasting fortunes
Hawk’s Milestones
It’s Luke Breust’s 300th game, but like he did last week will be the sub while Dylan Moore will play game 100.
Sam Mitchell speaks.
“There’s a few things you can give the boys a heads-up in regards to finals.”
“We have pretty good habits where we give ourselves 48 hours to revel in the wins but we’re straight back to it.”
“We know we can play this oval pretty well but we’ve got some bad memories here to.”
The last time these sides played the Power roared back from more than 40 points down to stun the Hawks.
