Preview: Bombers v Power

VENUE & TIME: Telstra Dome, 4.40pm AEST Sunday May 4

HEAD TO HEAD: Essendon 6, Port Adelaide 11

LAST TIME: Port Adelaide 19.12 (126) def. Essendon 13.17 (95), Round 12 2007 at AAMI Stadium

WALKING WOUNDED: Port has lost Chad Cornes for three to four weeks after he underwent surgery for a broken finger on Sunday. Matt Thomas and Michael Wilson will also miss.
The Bombers' cruel run of injuries has continued with Alwyn Davey (knee) done for the season and Dustin Fletcher (adductor) out for a fortnight. Damien Peverill had his jaw broken playing in the reserves lengthening an already long list of casualties. Leroy Jetta (hamstring) and Courtenay Dempsey (hamstring) will be tested but are unlikely to be rushed back in.

FORM: The Bombers have crashed heavily back to earth after a promising start to the season. Two wins in the opening three rounds have been followed by three losses on the trot - the worst coming last Friday against Collingwood.
Port Adelaide is slowly coming back after starting the season with four consecutive losses. It beat St Kilda last Saturday, a week after opening its account with victory in Perth against West Coast.

WHO'S HOT: Dustin Fletcher was the best of sorry lot for Essendon last week. Moved into attack, he led and marked strongly but let himself down with poor kicking in front of goal. He will be a big loss should he be sidelined this week.
Kane Cornes was superb last week but it was the form of Warren Tredrea which would have most encouraged the Alberton faithful. The veteran forward took 11 marks and booted two goals to show he can still have a big impact in the twilight of his career.

WE THINK: The Bombers are on the wane and Port is on the way up. Under Matthew Knights, the Bombers have shown they are capable of playing well in spurts but their inability to defend has cost dearly. In the past five weeks they have leaked 103 goals. They still are no closer to filling the hole left by the injured Scott Lucas and Matthew Lloyd is struggling to have an impact in games. Port has won nine of its past 10 against the Dons, who have shown nothing in recent weeks to suggest that trend will not continue this round. Port Adelaide by 37 points.