season.

Port, although only winning by one point against South Augusta last week, showed some of the fighting qualities in the last quarter that they produced last season when they won the flag.

This week may be different as they will be without key defender Chris Stephens who has been their best and most consistent player all year. They will also miss key playmaker Jordan Coombe both with minor injuries and will be rested.

The Bulldogs with the luxury of being four games clear with three matches to go would be silly to play any players that are not quite right.

Central and Port have met on two other occasions this season with the Bulldogs winning by 61 points in round six at Port Augusta, and Central getting the points in round 11 by 19 points in Port Pirie.

On that occasion Centrals Shannon Wilson dominated and the Bulldogs will need to curtail him if they are going to get the points this time, and Ashley Grantham was dominant kicking five goals.

Since the last time the teams met, Port has been strengthened by Jamie McNamara, Adam Wilson and Chad Parish while the loss of Anthony Ruffles has hit Central very hard.

Michael Burford was in good touch against South last week and his clash with the bloods vice captain Mark Fuller should be a beauty. Andrew Waters usually runs with Matt Keatley when these sides play against one another and there is no reason that anything will change on Sunday. If Keatley can be stopped the Bulldogs will be in with a great chance. Port onballer Tom Clarke played very well last week for the green and whites and he is always a danger man to the opposition sides.

Central’s full back Ashley Fullerton has in the past had the ability to stop the Bulldogs forwards from being match winners, and the veteran will be probably come up against Brodie Mudge whose form has been up and down of late although Mudge did kick four goals against Central in round six.