VENUE & TIME: Etihad Stadium, Sunday August 29, 2.10pm (AEST)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 18, Richmond 6, Port Adelaide 12
LAST TIME: Richmond 10.17 (77) def Port Adelaide 3.12 (30), Round 10, 2010 at AAMI Stadium
LAST TIME AT VENUE: Richmond 19.9 (123) def Port Adelaide 9.13 (67), Round 6, 2005 at Etihad Stadium
WALKING WOUNDED: There's only one name on the Richmond injury list that matters this week and that's Ben Cousins. The veteran is racing the clock to be fit for what would be the final match of his career after he injured his hamstring in the loss to St Kilda last week. Will Thursfield also picked up a corky in that game and is in some doubt to play. Jordan McMahon (ankle) and Matthew White (calf) also face fitness tests, while the season is over for Tyrone Vickery (hip), Mitch Farmer (knee), Luke McGuane (knee), Nathan Foley (ankle), Ben Griffiths (shoulder), Tom Hislop (patella), Richard Tambling (leg) and Adam Thomson (groin). Port Adelaide forward Brett Ebert ruptured his ACL against Melbourne last week and has opted for the LARS surgery in a bid to fit for Round 1 2011. Tough nut Tom Logan should be his replacement after missed last week with concussion, while Chad Cornes (finger), Hamish Hartlett (quad), Steven Salopek (shoulder) and Jacob Surjan (knee) are done for the season.
FORM:
Tigers Past Five:
Round 21: Loss, 14.10 (94) - 17.13 (115) v St Kilda, Etihad Stadium
Round 20: Loss, 10.7 (67) - 23.18 (156) v Carlton, MCG
Round 19: Loss, 11.14 (80) - 16.13 (109) v Melbourne, MCG
Round 18: Win, 15.10 (100) - 11.14 (80) v Adelaide, MCG
Round 17: Loss, 6.9 (45) - 19.13 (127) v Collingwood, MCG
Power Past Five:
Round 21: Win, 17.10 (112) - 11.17 (83) v Melbourne, AAMI Stadium
Round 20: Win 8.13 (61) – 8.12 (60) v West Coast, AAMI Stadium
Round 19: Loss, 8.9 (57) - 23.13 (151) v St Kilda, Etihad Stadium
Round 18: Win, 13.14 (92) - 11.12 (84) v Hawthorn, AAMI Stadium
Round 17: Win, 13.10 (88) - 9.15 (69) v Adelaide, AAMI Stadium
Richmond haven't won since beating Adelaide in Round 18 and copped a massive hiding by Carlton a fortnight ago. But last week they showed signs that they can match it with the top teams with an honourable loss to St Kilda. The Tigers were right in the match until the final quarter when the Saints kicked away to win by 21 points. Port Adelaide are one of the form sides of the competition with four wins from their past five starts. Last week they produced a strong four-quarter performance to knock off the Demons by 29 points.
WHO'S HOT: Jack Riewoldt all but secured the Coleman Medal with a seven-goal haul against the Saints last week. Riewoldt started up the ground but soon moved forward as he had 17 touches and hauled in 11 marks as he took his goal tally for the season up to 75. His performance earned him the Ian Stewart Medal for the best player on the ground. A former Tiger was the Power's best player on the weekend as Jay Schulz booted five goals led his side to victory over the Demons. The 25-year-old has booted 25 goals in his past eight matches and looks to be the man to take over the key forward role next season with former captain Warren Tredrea calling it a day earlier this year.
WE THINK: While on paper this match doesn't look too exciting there are plenty of subplots to keep the fans interested. If Ben Cousins plays it will be the last match of a marvelous career, while for the Power it's the last chance for interim coach Matthew Primus to stake his claim on the senior position for next year. Since taking over following Mark Williams' departure after the Collingwood game in Round 15, Primus has steered the Power to four wins and just two losses - against top four sides St Kilda and Western Bulldogs. And, make no mistake he will be determined to make it five this weekend. If Cousins does play, then the Tigers will be desperate to send him off in style, but even if he does make it onto the field he will be far from 100 percent fit which would definitely hinder his side's chances of winning. It's anyone's game but the Power might just sneak home in a tight one. Port Adelaide by 3 points.