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Showdown like an AFL final: Port captain

Port Adelaide skipper Travis Boak says Saturday's showdown against Adelaide will be like an AFL final.

Port Adelaide captain Travis Boak sees no point playing down Saturday's AFL grudge match against Adelaide.

Boak said Port, winners in four of the past six against the Crows, embrace the hype of the home-town clashes and have three players lining up to replace injured Matt White (pectoral).

"Showdowns have always been like finals," Boak told reporters on Wednesday.

"And finals footy is contested footy and really tight games. And I'm thinking it will be along the same path."

Ex-Melbourne utility Jimmy Toumpas could debut for the club in Saturday's Adelaide Oval fixture with Karl Amon and Aaron Young also in the frame.

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Port banked a 33-point season-opening win against St Kilda despite ruckman Matthew Lobbe copping a touch-up from young Saint Tom Hickey, who had 57 hitouts and 20 disposals.

Lobbe's ability to carry Port's rucks given the suspension of Paddy Ryder is a talking point, but Boak said the tapman wasn't listening.

"Lobbes is a pretty strong person so he doesn't listen to too much outside talk," Boak said.

"He loves that added pressure and that whole responsibility of being the only ruckman and taking control in the midfield.

"And he's one that if he is struggling he will let us know. And he's certainly not in that space."

Lobbe on Saturday resumes his rivalry with Adelaide's Sam Jacobs, the Showdown medal winner in 2014 and 2012.

"He's ready to take on the challenge," Boak said.

"He's more excited than ever to take on one of the best ruckmen in the league in Sammy Jacobs so we're certainly backing him in for that."


2 min read

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Source: AAP



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