Remember the last time the Swans beat Port Adelaide Power? If the answer is “yes” then congratulations … you’re a fine student of such matters. But if the answer is “no” then don’t feel too badly. You won’t be alone.

While the Swans have beaten the other 16 opposition clubs inside the last 25 months, their last win over Port was 80 months ago, when 35 of the Swans’ current 44 listed players had not even played for the club and 31 were not even in the AFL system.

In that time the Swans have had a positive head-to-head record against 11 clubs and an even split against five clubs. And they have gone 0-6 against Port, losing by 10 points, 23 points (twice), 26 points, 28 points and 43 points.

Only nine current Swans have beaten the Power wearing red and white: Callum Mills and Tom Papley (1), Isaac Heeney (2), Lance Franklin and Harry Cunningham (4), Dane Rampe and Jake Lloyd (5), Sam Reid (6) and Luke Parker (7).

Historically, the good news for coach John Longmire is that the last four games against Port have been at Adelaide Oval. Not since Round 2, 2018 has Port played at the SCG, and only 10 of their playing group have done so in a Port jumper.

Head-to-Head

The Swans have a 20-13 advantage in head-to-head meetings with the Power since they were opposed for the first time in Round 11, 1997, when Paul Roos was best afield in a 35-point Swans win at Football Park in Adelaide and the Power kicked 4.17 – still the worst day in front of the big sticks in club history. This includes an eight-win streak from 2006-12. Swans coach John Longmire has a 5-7 record against Port counterpart Ken Hinkley in a battle that goes back to 2013.

By Venue

The two clubs have only played at three venues, with the Swans enjoying the upper hand at each of them. They are 9-7 at the SCG, 6-2 at Adelaide Oval and 7-4 at Football Park.

Brownlow Votes

Luke Parker and Josh Kennedy have topped Brownlow Medal votes in games between the clubs, each polling five times for 10 votes. Jude Bolton (8), Lance Franklin (8) and Adam Goodes (7) are next on the Swans list, while Port’s three leading vote-getters are all set to play this week – Travis Boak (7), Ollie Wines (6) and Connor Rozee (5).

Twelve of the Best

The most goals kicked in a game against Port by a Sydney player is the most by any player against Port. It was Round 16, 1998 at SCG, when the Swans won by 34 points thanks chiefly to 12 goals from Tony Lockett. He kicked 12.1 for three Brownlow votes. Port’s best against Sydney is Brett Ebert’s career-best of six in 1998.

Most Possessions

Luke Parker’s 39 possessions at the SCG in Round 20, 2016, when he had a personal-best 22 contested possessions, is the most by a Sydney player against Port and the second-best of his career. Brad Ebert, a cousin of Brett Ebert, completes a unique family double with his 40-possession game at the SCG in Round 13, 2014.

Highs & Lows

The Swans highest score and biggest win against the Power came in the same game – Round 2, 2008. They kicked 22.14 (146) to 11.12 (78) to win by 68 points. Barry Hall kicked five goals and Michael O’Loughlin four goals.

Their lowest score was in Round 14 of the Covid season of 2020 at Adelaide Oval, when they kicked 7.5 (47) to lose by 26 points. Their biggest loss to Port was 72 points at Football Park in Round 12, 2004.

Common Players

Six players have played for Sydney and Port, including two who are set to be opposed this week – Peter Ladhams and Aliir Aliir. The pair, who moved as part of separate deals in the 2021-22 off-season, also share the disappointment of having missed a grand final with the Swans. Aliir did so through injury in his first season in 2016, and Ladhams was ineligible for selection last year due to suspension.

Other common players have been Adam Heuskes, who played in the 1996 grand final with Sydney before heading to Port in 1997, Simon Phillips, Campbell Heath and Sam Gray.