The 4 certainties for Port Adelaide versus Hawthorn

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 Semi-Final between Port Adelaide and Hawthorn.

Port Adelaide

Horne-Francis 20+ disposals, 2+ goals

You just can’t keep the kid quiet for long.

Last week, Horne-Francis showed glimpses of light in a very dim night in South Australia, managing 18 disposals, six clearances and a goal through the middle, rotating forward.

With all his power, a contest with Hawthorn’s Jai Newcombe is set up to be one of the all-time great contests through the centre, as the heavyweights prepare to slug it out in the centre of the park.

Last time Port Adelaide met with Hawthorn, the bull collected 27 and booted two in a last-gasp win, and with everything on the line for Port Adelaide and their senior management, expect the young star to fight for the club who paved his way home.

Bergman 10+ intercept possessions

Miles Bergman has rapidly become one of the most important pieces in Port Adelaide’s backline.

Rapidly ascending into one of the competition’s most underrated interceptors, Bergman collected another 11 intercept possessions in last week’s disappointing loss to Geelong.

Given the ball is expected to flood the Power’s back half, expect Miles to hold down the fort with a number of exceptional grabs, particularly in the absence of Dan Houston.

Jaiden Sciberras

Hawthorn

Amon 20+ disposals 

Karl Amon is averaging 22.1 disposals in 2024 and is having an outstanding season.

Amon, being a former Port Adelaide player, enjoys playing at Adelaide Oval and has recorded 20 disposals or more in his last 11 appearances there.

He has also has recorded over 20 disposals in nine of his last eleven matches.

The wingman also collected 26 disposals in the Round 11 clash against Port Adelaide.

Given that this match is at the Adelaide oval and Amon’s recent form, we expect him to easily cover the 20+ disposal mark. 

Chol 2+ goals

Mabior Chol has been an important cog in Hawthorn's forward line, and his impact may have a say on the game’s result.

The key forward has kicked 36 goals this season and is averaging 1.6 goals a game, he has also kicked multiple goals in his last three appearances against Port Adelaide.

In their elimination final win last Friday night, Chol unexpectedly went goalless for the first time in 11 games. We expect him to come back strong and get on the score sheet with at least two majors.

Noah Desta

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