1. Home ground advantage
How much impact does this game being played at Adelaide Oval have?
If you’re looking at recent results, not too much.
Over the last five seasons, the Bulldogs and Power have met four times at the venue, with the ledger square at 2-2.
But there’s no shying away from the fact it will be a loud crowd – hostile, perhaps.
That backs-to-the-wall mindset seems to be one the Bulldogs relish though.
2. Charlie and the Chief
This could be a big match up in the scheme of things – if it happens to play out this way.
Charlie Dixon v Alex Keath.
Dixon has kicked 12 goals in eight games this year – multiple goals in five of those games, and none in the other three.
He’s a proven match-winner if he gets going.
But Keath continues to get better with each game as a Bulldog and is enjoying a fine season.
He had Coleman Medal leader Harry McKay for company last week and this looms as another important battle.
3. Up the other end…
Port Adelaide’s defence is among the competition’s best.
They’re one of three teams to have conceded less than 70 points per game this year, alongside the Bulldogs and ladder-leader Melbourne.
The Bulldogs found the going tough heading inside-50 last year against the Power, kicking five goals from 39 entries.
They’ll need to make the most of their opportunities this year, particularly with off-season addition Aliir Aliir strengthening the Power at the defensive end.
However, Aaron Naughton didn’t play the Power last year – and he’ll be hoping he and Josh Bruce can have a big impact again, after being critical in the win against Carlton last week.
4. The Bont Identity
We ran out of time to crop the skipper onto a movie poster of the Matt Damon hit.
But think back to the Bulldogs’ most recent win against Port Adelaide, in 2019.
Who set the tone that night, in slippery conditions?
Marcus Bontempelli – with a masterclass in the first quarter.
The star Bulldog has continued to make a habit of rising to the challenge when his team needs him most, as the football world saw last week in his best-on-ground performance against the Blues.
Can Bontempelli and his midfield mates take control of the contest against the Power?
It looms as a key factor in winning this one.
