Port Adelaide vs GWS Giants Preview
Port Adelaide can end Greater Western Sydney’s season with a win at the Adelaide Oval in Round 21.
The Power sit in 15th position with a 6-13 win-loss record but have competed well all season and come up against a Giants outfit that continue to struggle to produce their best, while injuries have also taken a toll on Adam Kingsley’s side.
Port Adelaide should relish the return to Adelaide Oval, where they have shown they can match it with the competition's best despite recent defeats. Against Fremantle they led by 12 points at half-time before the Dockers produced a blistering third-quarter burst, while they also pushed Brisbane to the main break before the Lions eventually flexed their class.
The Giants arrive with significant concerns around their contest work, particularly at stoppage. They were belted at clearance against Sydney 46-25 and the Swans repeatedly scored from stoppages and turnovers.
Against a Port midfield led by Jason Horne-Francis, Ollie Wines and Willem Drew, that weakness could again prove costly. Perhaps the biggest concern for GWS is its inability to produce consistent football. Adelaide Oval has been a difficult venue for visiting teams to score at all season with a number of matches going under the total points. Take the Power in the head to head with with Jason Horne-Francis to continue his strong form in the absence of Butters. Stephen Coniglio can keep the Giants in it in his role as a crumbing and pressure forward.
- Port Adelaide claimed the most recent meeting between the two sides.
- The total points in Port Adelaide’s matches against sides outside the top 10 at the Adelaide Oval this season has averaged 162.
- Jason Horne-Francis had 30 disposals last weekend against Brisbane.
- Stephen Coniglio booted three goals against Sydney last weekend.
Head to Head
Port Adelaide were 16 point winners against the Giants the last time the two sides met but that match was back in Round 13 last season. The Giants took out the Power in the 2023 Semi Final by 23 points, which was the most recent meeting at the Adelaide Oval.
Standout player performances in the recent head to heads have come from;
- Stephen Coniglio (GWS)- 30+ disposals in two of his past three against the Power
- Lachie Ash (GWS)- 30 disposals in the most recent meeting
- Lachie Whitfield (GWS)- 25+ disposals in three of his past four against Port with 24 in the other.
Port Adelaide Form Analysis
Port Adelaide have a 6-13 win-loss record and come off their biggest loss of the season, a 59-point defeat at the hands of Brisbane. The Power have now lost three matches in a row, as injuries to key players begin to take a toll. They have been competitive in a number of matches, losing five by three points or less and rank fifth in the competition for fewest points conceded but have given up over 100 points in the past two rounds.
Jason Horne-Francie was their best player against Brisbane with 30 disposals and a goal. He has had at least 23 disposals in his past five matches and will carry a heavy load with Zak Butters and Connor Rozee in the side. Dante Visentini. Mitch Georgiades and Todd Marshall each kicked two against the Lions. Visentini has kicked two in his last two matches, while Georgiades has reached that mark in three of his past four.
The Power are 4-7 at the Adelaide Oval in 2026. Against sides outside of the top 10 they are 2-3 this season at the venue and the total points has averaged 162 in those matches.
Port Adelaide Team News
Port Adelaide pulled up unscathed on the injury front from their loss to the Lions. A number of Port Adelaide’s players are done for the season. Jack Lukosius is a chance to return from injury but the likes of Butters, Rozee and Esava Ratugolea won’t be seen until 2027.
GWS Giants Form Analysis
The finals hopes of GWS have taken a severe hit in recent weeks after they suffered a shock three-point loss to Essendon a fortnight ago before dropping the Sydney Derby to the Swans in Round 20 by 51.
Their best footy has seem them defeat the likes of Fremantle, Geelong and Brisbane in recent times but inconsistency as well as injuries has wrecked havoc on their season.
Lachie Ash, Lachie Whitfield, Connor Idun and Clayton Oliver all had 25+ disposals against the Swans, while Stephen Coniglio kicked three goals but they were badly beaten in the clearances, leading to a 21.13.139 to 13.10.88 scoreline.
Oliver has had 25+ disposals in all but one of his 19 matches this season and has hit 30+ in 11 of those. The Giants are 1-7 in away matches this season
The Giants have won just one of their past five outside of NSW this season and have lost all three at Marvel in 2026. They have lost their past two at the Adelaide Oval with those matches coming against Adelaide
GWS Giants Team News
Finn Callaghan rolled his ankle late in the loss to Sydney and will be assessed at training. He joins a lengthy injury list with Toby Greene, Jack Buckley, Jesse Hogan and Brent Daniels among some of the big names on the sidelines. Kieren Briggs is a chance to return and will bolster the Giants ruck stocks.