Power to test Giants' depth in AFL clash

Apr 14, 2017 - 7:18 AM If depth is key to winning an AFL premiership, flag favourites Greater Western Sydney are about have the blowtorch put on their credentials by Port Adelaide.

The Power have a different aura around them in 2017 after wins against Sydney and Fremantle kicked off their season.

They fell short in a hard-fought derby showdown against Adelaide last week, a loss that Giants half-forward Sam Reid believes will make them a tougher proposition in Saturday's match at UNSW Canberra Oval.

"They're really hard at the contest and we've got no doubt they'll come out and rip in," Reid said.

Port are third in the competition for contested possessions with GWS ninth, while the Power are ranked second for contested marks topping the Giants who are 10th.

"They're really good contested," Reid said.

"We have a big focus on that area as well so we'll try to live up to that."

The Giants' depth will be tested with defender Matt Buntine joining the casualty ward during the week after scans revealed he has been playing with a partially torn ACL, ruling him out for the season.

Young gun Will Setterfield and veteran midfielder Ryan Griffen both face 10 weeks on the sidelines with ankle injuries with Matthew Kennedy brought in to replace the latter.

"Griff's hardness around the ball has been pretty important the last couple of weeks... but we get Bam (Matt Kennedy) back in who's a tough inside midfielder as well," Reid said.

Paddy Ryder's suspension could hardly have come at a worse time for the Power with back-up ruckman Matthew Lobbe injured, leaving Jackson Trengove to battle the size and power of Shane Mumford.

A knee injury to the Giants mercurial veteran Steve Johnson has ruled him out, paving the way for star full-forward Jonathon Patton to return to the side to bolster their attacking firepower.

"Jonny had a really good pre-season so to get him back is a bonus," Reid said.

With the Giants' cross-town rivals Sydney slumping to 0-4 and Hawthorn winless ahead of their Easter Monday against Geelong, a win over the Power would help GWS push towards a top four without the heavyweights of recent years.

While Reid isn't looking too far in to the future, the Giants haven't stopped looking over their shoulders for the competition's big guns.

"I wouldn't write them off yet, they're two great clubs," Reid said of the Swans and Hawks.

Source: AAP