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Key facts about the AFL semi-final between Port Adelaide and Hawthorn.
A GUIDE TO THE AFL SEMI-FINAL BETWEEN PORT ADELAIDE AND HAWTHORN:
* When: Friday, 7.40pm AEST
* Where: Adelaide Oval
* The form:
Port Adelaide: Crashed to a humiliating 84-point loss to Geelong in a home qualifying final, which unceremoniously snapped a six-game winning streak.
Hawthorn: Convincingly defeated the Western Bulldogs by 37 points in an elimination final for their 12th win in the past 14 games.
* Head-to-head
Overall: Played: 40. Port 23 wins, 17 losses
In finals: Played: 2. Port 0 wins 2 losses
Last time: Round 11, 2024: Port 11.14 (80) bt Hawthorn 12.7 (79) at Adelaide Oval
Last final: Preliminary final, 2014: Hawthorn 15.7 (97) bt Port 13.16 (94) at the MCG
* Key players:
Zak Butters (Port). The dual All Australian was substituted from the qualifying final nightmare because of a rib injury. Cleared of any structural injury, the on-baller will play sore and expects to be targeted by Hawthorn.
James Sicily (Hawthorn). The skipper was supreme in defence against the Dogs with 23 disposals and 11 marks. His aerial ability and on-field leadership again looms as a crucial factor.
Mitch Georgiades (Port). An assured mark on the lead or in pack situations, he is the Power's leading scorer this season with 39 majors. Will be the focal point in attack and can break a game open in bursts.
Jai Newcombe (Hawthorn). Starred in the elimination final with his 35 touches including 12 contested possessions and 10 score involvements. His output at the stoppages will again be vital against Port's vaunted midfielders.
* The stat: Port are the 12th club to suffer a qualifying loss of 50-plus points since the current finals format was introduced in 2000. All other 11 clubs responded by winning their following semi-final.
