The 4 certainties for Sydney versus Port Adelaide

Back for another year, the SEN.com.au team gives you an insight into how every game will play out across the weekend.

Labelling something a ‘certainty’ in any sport is fraught with danger.

But we’ll attempt to find some anyway.

Here is what we consider certainties for the Preliminary Final between Sydney and Port Adelaide.

Sydney

Heeney 20+ disposals, 1+ goals

Sydney superstar Isaac Heeney is in some form.

The midfield/forward put in one of the best finals performances in recent memory in the Qualifying Final win over GWS, helping himself to 30 disposals, three goals, eight score involvements and seven clearances.

While it’d be a lot to ask for a similar performance on Friday night, surely the 28-year-old will do enough to get 20 touches and a goal.

He’s had 20 disposals or more in four of his last five games, while he’s kicked a goal in all of the last four games he’s appeared in.

20 touches and one major is a low bar that Heeney should leap over against the Power.

Papley 2+ goals

Tom Papley’s return for Sydney in the Qualifying Final win against GWS was absolutely crucial to the result.

The small forward helped launch the last-quarter comeback and kicked two majors to go with 16 disposals.

With Sydney’s tall forwards not exactly setting the world alight, expect the Swans to go to Papley plenty of times when they have the footy looking inside 50.

He loves the big moment and the big stage and will be up for the fight against a Port Adelaide side that’s missing a few small defenders.

2+ goals is well within his capabilities.

Lachlan Geleit

Port Adelaide

Bergman 15+ disposals

Miles Bergman is averaging 15.7 disposals this season and he has recorded 15 disposals or more in 10 of his last 12 games. 

While Ryan Burton is expected to be recalled after a calf concern that kept him out of the side last weekend, Dan Houston and Kane Farrell will still be unavailable for this weekend's Preliminary-Final.

This gives Bergman more of an opportunity to get the ball and springboard Port Adelaide's attack from the half-back line.

We expect the dashing defender with breakaway power to easily record 15 disposals or more.

Georgiades 2+ Goals

Mitch Georgiades is averaging 2.3 goals this season, and has kicked a team-high 43 goals across 2024.

With Todd Marshall entering concussion protocols after last week's Semi-Final victory, Georgieades will have to step up and carry a larger load up forward.

The aerial target has also kicked 2+ goals in 10 of his last 12 appearances and finished with 4.2 in Port’s last encounter against Sydney.

We expect the 22-year-old to fire up forward and cover the 2+ goals mark.

Noah Desta

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