Prelim preview: The head-to-head stats you need to know for Sydney v Port Adelaide

The Swans will host the Power at the SCG in the first Preliminary Final this Friday night at 7:40pm AEST.

Sydney are looking to play in their third Grand Final in 10 years and contend for their sixth AFL premiership. 

Port Adelaide, on the other hand, are attempting to make just their third Grand Final in their history and contend for only their second club premiership.

The head-to-head history is in Port Adelaide's favour, as they have won eight matches in a row including a 112-point romp in Round 21.

Top players

When these two sides have faced off in recent years, there has been a trend of top players having excelled in this particular matchup.

For Sydney, Chad Warner has been a standout and he battled well on ball when the teams met in Round 21, with 19 disposals and eight tackles.

Perhaps Willem Drew will be sent his way as a tagger.

Another one for the Swans is Errol Gulden.

The two-time All-Australian was his side’s leading disposal winner in Round 21 with 25 touches. He also had 20 disposals and eight inside 50s when the sides met in Round 4, 2023.

Connor Rozee is one standout from the Power.

The Power skipper kicked a goal to go with 27 disposals the last time the sides met. He also kicked a goal to go with 29 touches when the teams met in Round 14, 2022.

Ollie Wines is another for Ken Hinkley’s side.

The Brownlow winner was everywhere in the thumping Round 21 win with 31 disposals, one goal and eight clearances. He also had 34 disposals and 10 clearances when the teams met in 2022.

SCG record

Sydney have won four of their last five games at the SCG. They are 10-2 at home in 2024.

Port Adelaide have won three of their last five games at the SCG, most recently winning by two points in Round 4 last year. That was their first appearance at the venue since 2018.

Preliminary Final record

Sydney have played in 10 Preliminary Finals and have won seven of them. The Swans have won their last three prelims, including by 1 point over Collingwood in 2022.

Port Adelaide have played in seven Preliminary finals and have lost five of them. Under Ken Hinkley they have lost all three prelims (2014, 2020 and 2021).

Finals record

Sydney have won three of their last five finals including a six-point triumph over GWS in the Qualifying Final.

Port Adelaide have lost four of their last five finals, and the only recent win came just last weekend against Hawthorn by 3 points.