West Coast and Port Adelaide will both be continuing their hunt for an unlikely wildcard finals berth when the two sides meet on Saturday night in Perth.

Andrew McQualter’s Eagles (4-8, 70%) have already beaten the Power this season back in Round 3. Meanwhile, Port Adelaide (3-8, 100.9%) are looking to restart their season after four consecutive losses — despite still holding a positive percentage.

Watch every match of every round of the AFL Premiership Season LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.

Match details: West Coast Eagles vs Port Adelaide Power from 8:15pm AEST at Optus Stadium

Watch it live: On Fox Footy (channel 504), and streaming on Kayo, from 8pm AEST

Follow our live coverage of West Coast vs Port Adelaide in our blog below! Can’t see the blog?Click here

‘KEY DEFENDER’S DREAM’: UNLIKELY SUSPECTS SHINE AMID POOR EXECUTION

It’s not often that key defenders are front and centre of attention as a collective group, but poor execution and usage of the Sherrin by foot on Saturday night saw the proactive types rack up the intercept possessions.

At half time, West Coast (-13.1%) and Port Adelaide (-6.9%) were operating well below their season average with disposal efficiency inside 50 in a scrappy Optus Stadium encounter.

It saw West Coast defensive duo Reuben Ginbey and Tylar Young combine for a whopping 15 intercepts in the first half, while usual Power suspects Esava Ratugolea and Aliir Aliir combined for 13 of their own.

“It’s a key defender’s dream out there at the moment, with shanked kicks all over the place that are easy to read,” Collingwood AFLW star Ruby Schleicher told Fox Footy at half time.

“Ratugolea’s intercepts are a lot further up the ground, whereas Ginbey’s are close to goal.”

2018 West Coast premiership player Will Schofield added: “The disposal’s been poor at both ends, and it’s easier to read that — especially when you’re playing proactively as a defender.

“Both of these guys (Reuben) Ginbey and (Esava) Ratugolea sit in front of their man, so when there’s pressure on the ball and it’s been butchered all night, it’s a defenders’ dream.”

Ratugolea in particular was dealt the tough task of juggling his match-up on 2024 All-Australian Jake Waterman while intercepting.

Ratugolea leaves the field due to the blood rule on the brink of half time (Photo by Janelle St Pierre via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Unfortunately for the 27-year-old, a head knock on the brink of half time saw him leave the field under the blood rule, freeing up his opponent to take multiple shots on goal in his absence — one of which he converted.

“He’s been the beneficiary of some of the disposal by West Coast, but he’s had four intercept marks and put himself in the right spots throughout the game,” Schofield said.

“Interestingly, as the game went into the second quarter, Jake Waterman was the one to come back the other way … he had seven marks, two goals and really fought his way into the game. A really good battle at that end of the ground.”