The Port Adelaide vs Sydney Swans clash in Round 14 carries real weight. The Swans sit second on the ladder and keep winning. Port Adelaide sits 15th and desperately needs a statement result at home.
First bounce comes at 7:05pm ACST (3:05pm IST) on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Adelaide Oval. Gates open at 5:30pm.
Swans coach Dean Cox named two forced changes after last week’s narrow win over St Kilda. Justin McInerney suffered a hamstring tear that will sideline him for 8-10 weeks. Tom McCartin entered concussion protocols and will miss this match. Joel Hamling and Harry Cunningham earn recalls from the VFL. Callum Mills returns as captain in the backline.
Port Adelaide made three changes. Kane Farrell returns from injury. Xavier Bamert and Hugh Ramm come into the extended squad. Jack Lai is out injured. Zac Butters will captain the side from the midfield.
Sydney Swans predicted lineup B: C. Mills (C), J. Hamling, W. Edwards HB: M. Roberts, N. Blakey, S. Wicks C: J. Serong, Ch. Warner, J. Jordon HF: J. Lloyd, J. Rowbottom, M. Rosas F: J. Amartey, C. Curnow, L. McDonald FOLL: B. Grundy, I. Heeney, A. Sheldrick I/C: R. Bice, H. Kyle, H. Cunningham, C. Cleary, H. McLean
Port Adelaide Power predicted lineup B: L. Evans, E. Ratugolea, T. Marshall HB: D. Byrne-Jones, A. Aliir, L. Jones C: E. Mackinlay, J. Horne-Francis, J. Burgoyne HF: T. Cochrane, M. Georgiades, J. Berry F: C. Durdin, J. Whitlock, J. Richards FOLL: J. Sweet, Z. Butters (C), W. Drew I/C: K. Farrell, O. Wines, X. Bamert, J. Mead, H. Ramm
The Swans have won 11 of their first 13 games and own the second-best percentage in the competition. Their attack looks potent even without McInerney’s run and McCartin’s intercept marking. Logan McDonald and Charlie Curnow give them a strong forward structure, while Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner provide elite midfield drive. Brodie Grundy adds ruck dominance and around-the-ground work.
Port Adelaide’s season has been frustrating. They sit outside the top eight with a 4-8 record and have struggled for consistency. At home under lights they usually lift, and Zac Butters remains one of the competition’s most damaging midfielders. Miles Georgiades offers a focal point up forward. The Power will need to win the contested ball battle and limit Sydney’s transition if they want any chance of an upset.
Recent history at Adelaide Oval favors the home side in patches, but Sydney has shown it can win on the road against quality opposition. The Swans’ depth and class should prove decisive despite the absences.
Key player battles to watch
- Brodie Grundy vs Jordon Sweet in the ruck — Grundy’s mobility around the ground could prove the difference.
- Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner vs Zac Butters and Jason Horne-Francis — the midfield engine room will decide who controls tempo.
- Logan McDonald and Charlie Curnow vs Port’s key defenders — Sydney’s tall forwards must convert opportunities in what shapes as a low-scoring arm wrestle.
June weather in Adelaide typically brings cool evenings with average highs around 14-15°C and lows near 8-9°C. A light breeze often swirls around the oval. Expect a crisp night that rewards teams who move the ball cleanly by hand and foot. No major rain is forecast at this stage, though conditions could tighten as the game progresses.
Match Prediction Sydney Swans by 18 points.
The Swans have the better list, better recent form, and more ways to score. Port Adelaide will be competitive early and use the home crowd to generate momentum, but Sydney’s class and structure should wear the Power down in the second half. Expect a tight first half followed by Swans pulling away after halftime.
The result keeps Sydney firmly in the premiership conversation while leaving Port Adelaide with plenty of work still to do before the midway point of the season.
