Port bracing for scrap with Dockers
UPDATE 10am: Coleman Medal frontrunner Jay Schulz says Port Adelaide are bracing for a scrap against Fremantle, labelling last year's grand finalists as the toughest side they faced in 2013.
The in-form Power head into Saturday's clash at Adelaide Oval on a four-game winning streak and aware there are serious question marks over the availability of Fremantle's two key defenders.
Full-back Zac Dawson is in doubt after being substituted out of Sunday's western derby with an injured left ankle.
The Dockers have a six-day turnaround before confronting Port and the 28-year-old was seen on crutches yesterday as he went to have scans.
The fitness of Schulz's likely opponent, Luke McPharlin, is also far from assured.
The 32-year-old played out the derby with heavy strapping around his right thigh. Dockers coach Ross Lyon said Dawson was only an outside chance to play, with McPharlin also facing a fitness test.
"Hopefully one of them will come up," Lyon told 6PR.
The one major plus for Fremantle is that star midfielder David Mundy today accepted a reprimand after being charged with rough conduct for a heavy shepherd on Eagles vice-captain Scott Selwood.
Mundy's blow that sent Selwood sprawling was judged as reckless conduct, low impact and body contact. He dodged a ban and accepted 70.31 carryover points towards his future record with an early guilty plea.
Fremantle hammered Port Adelaide by 74 points at Patersons Stadium in round 22 last year in the only meeting between the two clubs for the season.
Schulz, who is leading the league's goal kicking with 24 majors and will bring up his 150-game milestone this weekend, said the Power were far better prepared this time.
"Playing Freo last year was the hardest game that we played and we learnt the biggest lessons just about how they go with their pressure," Schulz said.
"It's a massive challenge for us and we know that - it's going to be on for young and old. You're playing a grand final side and what everyone considers to be the best defensive side in the comp, so it's going to be a pressure game.
"I think we've taken a few steps in the right direction and we're still building in that direction, and I think we're better placed as a group (to play them)."
The Power will welcome back Hamish Hartlett and Alipate Carlile, who have recovered from bouts of gastro that ruled them out of Saturday's win over Greater Western Sydney.
Their inclusion could come at the expense of debutant and former South Fremantle midfielder Ben Newton. Sandover medallist Kane Mitchell was upgraded to Port's senior playing list yesterday to replace Sam Colquhoun (knee), who is out for the season.
