With Solomontown not as competitive in recent years it is the Lions who carry the torch, the hopes for the non-Ports football fraternity in Port Pirie.

Both the Bulldogs and the Proprietary/Risdon combine finished the Minor round with eleven wins but Port took second with superior percentage. The Lions have scored 96 more points for the season than their opponents, or 5 more per game but Port have a much tighter defence conceding 239 less points (14 per match).

Given this the Greens should advance to Grand Final by nine points.

The two have met four times this year with Port winning by 72 in the opening game of the season, Lions won the next two clashes by 39 in R5 and 31 in R10, then Port turned the tables to claim a 17 point victory in R15.

Since 2006 Port have won eleven from fourteen meetings but this a final and the statistics provide background only.

The Lions worry Port with their foot-speed and stretch them when going forward.

After six goals to help the Lions eliminate West on Sunday Tate Bradley has to be contained. But with Tom Harmer, Tyson Horsnell and Elijah Ware all capable of kicking five or six goals themselves Port’s defence will feel as though it is spending all its time putting out spot-fires.

The reigning Premiers lost to the Bloods in the Qualifying Final but could quite easily have won it. Port will win this for two reasons – Burford and Clarke giving Ports first use of the ball. The former North Adelaide SANFL League/SA Country ruckman and the Central Districts SANFL Reserves/SGL/Northern Zone ruck-rover. These two have formed the premier midfield partnership and underlined this on Monday with Clarke claiming the Madigan Medal and Burford the runner-up.

This game is for Port to lose, that is they should win this with its experience and harder bodies, but the Lions have something about them.

The Lions enjoy playing football together and have done so for many years through juniors and for the past four years at League level.

If ever a team can go all the way on sheer club-spirit it is the blue and gold.

I will lean to Port to win by inside two goals but we know half of Pirie and all of Port Augusta will be hoping for a Lions win.

Tip: Ports 10 points.