The 4 certainties for Port Adelaide versus Carlton

Back for another year, the SEN.com.au team gives you an insight into how every game will play out across the weekend.

Labelling something a ‘certainty’ in any sport is fraught with danger.

But we’ll attempt to find some anyway.

Here is what we consider certainties for the Round 12 Thursday night clash between Port Adelaide and Carlton.

Port Adelaide

Houston to have 20+ disposals

Dan Houston has been so consistent in 2024.

He has hit the 20-disposal mark in nine of 11 matches this season and is averaging 22.7 touches per game.

Last time against the Blues he had 41 disposals and and in eight career games against them he’s averaged 21.7 touches.

We feel he’s a lock to pick up at least 20 disposals on Thursday night.

Byrne-Jones to kick a goal or more

Darcy Byrne-Jones has had at least one scoring shot in every game so far this season.

He has kicked one or more goal in eight of 11 games and multiple goals on six occasions.

With Willie Rioli out of the side, the onus will further be on Byrne-Jones to hit the scoreboard.

He’s likely to kick at least one goal, especially if there’s some rain around in Adelaide causing the ball to be on the deck more often.

Andrew Slevison

Carlton

Cripps to have 20+ disposals

This one is an absolute certainty (we hope).

Patrick Cripps is averaging 28 disposals a game in 2024 and hasn’t picked up less than 20 once this season. In fact, he’s picked up 25 or more in six of 11 games.

Even if he does have to deal with a Willem Drew tag at stages, Cripps should still pass 20 given he’ll be at the source all game and will no doubt get his hands to it at stoppage.

20 is a lock, but 25+ is also just about guaranteed if Drew goes to Sam Walsh instead.

Curnow to kick 2+ goals

It’s pretty obvious but kicking at least two goals is regularly scheduled programming for Curnow in 2024.

He’s kicked multiple majors in every single game this year for a return of 33.22.

While he hasn’t been as dominant as he was at stages of 2023, Curnow’s floor is still two goals.

He’s also averaging four goals a game against Port Adelaide across the last two seasons.

Lachlan Geleit

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