<p>The Gold Coast Suns have one job: win—and you're playing finals for the first time in club history.</p> <p>After letting one slip at home last week against the Giants, the Suns have dropped out of the top eight with just one round to go. The good news? They’ve got the advantage of an extra game up their sleeve, which gives them a bit of breathing room. But the task is clear: win first up against Port Adelaide and lock in that finals spot—then worry about ladder position.</p> <p>On form alone, this version of Port shouldn’t pose too much of a challenge. The Suns should be able to get the job done just by showing up and playing to their baseline. The Power were lifeless last week in a 54-point drubbing at the hands of Carlton—another team well out of contention.</p> <p>Still, while Port are limping to the finish line in what’s been a bleak season, Friday night at Adelaide Oval will be anything but low-key. Two Port Adelaide legends are set to call time on their storied careers, and the occasion is guaranteed to fire up both the players and the crowd.</p> <p>Ken Hinkley, the club’s longest-serving coach, will take charge for the final time after 13 years at the helm. He’ll be joined in the farewell spotlight by club great Travis Boak, who retires after an incredible 387 games across 18 seasons in black and teal.</p> <p>And if there’s one thing Port knows how to do, it’s rally for a big occasion. Despite being decimated by injury and having dished up some truly insipid performances over the last eight weeks, they’ve shown time and again that they can lift when it matters. And this might just be the biggest moment of their year. For two of their most loyal servants, anything less than a full-blooded effort would be a disservice.</p> <p>Adding to their motivation is the fact that the Suns have never won at Adelaide Oval. The hoodoo is real—and Port will be keen to keep it that way.</p> <p>Port will be without Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines, who’s serving the first of a three-game suspension after failing to overturn it at the tribunal. They’re running so low on troops that mid-season draftee Ewen Mackinlay could be a chance to debut. Josh Sinn is out with a corked calf, and Allir Allir will need to prove his fitness after hobbling through last week’s game with an ankle injury.</p> <p>As for the Suns, they’ll still be missing a few key players as they prepare for September, but expect most of the changes and inclusions to come next week against Essendon—not in this one.</p> <p>Alex Davies will miss through suspension, though. That will be the only forced change.&nbsp;</p> <p>For team news, betting tips, and a full breakdown, check out our Port vs Suns prediction and preview below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Port Adelaide vs Gold Coast Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Port Adelaide Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Kane Farrell, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Dylan Williams</p> <p>HB: Connor Rozee, Allir Allir, Lachie Jones</p> <p>C: Joe Berry, Willem Drew, Mani Liddy</p> <p>HF: Darcy Byrne-Jones, Jack Whitlock, Christian Moraes</p> <p>F: Jed McEntee, Mitch Georgiades, Joe Richards</p> <p>Foll: Jordan Sweet, Zak Butters, Travis Boak</p> <p>Int: Jackson Mead, Will Lorenz, Willie Rioli, Ollie Lord, Ewen Mackinlay</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Gold Coast Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Bodhi Uland, Sam Collins, Wil Powell</p> <p>HB: John Noble, Mac Andrew, Joel Jeffrey</p> <p>C: Lachie Weller, Matt Rowell, Brayden Fiorini</p> <p>HF: Touk Miller, Ethan Read, Ben Ainsworth</p> <p>F: Ben Long, Ben King, Jy Farrar</p> <p>Foll: Jarro Witts, Noah Anderson, Jake Rogers</p> <p>Int: Nick Holman, Connor Budarick, Oscar Adams, Alex Sexton, Sam Flanders</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Port Adelaide vs Gold Coast Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>Despite losing the most recent match between these two sides last year, Port Adelaide has dominated the Gold Coast Suns head-to-head, winning 10 of the past 11 matches.&nbsp;</p> <p>As alluded to, the Suns come into this game knowing they have to win if they want to play finals, but have never, ever won at the Adelaide Oval. So, they have the chance to go against the grain of two fronts here and create history.&nbsp;</p> <p>All the numbers and data point to the Suns doing it comfortably, but there’s one intangible that only Ken Hinkley can inspire in his team for the last time - spirit - that they can go out and potentially send him and Trav off with a win.</p> <p>As nice as it would be, and would set up some lovely drama and storylines for that rescheduled clash next Wednesday, we’re going to side with it being a historic night for the Suns here.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/port-adelaide-v-gold-coast-suns-9504814">Suns</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>The rise and rise and rise of Ben Long has been one of the stories of the season for the Suns.&nbsp;</p> <p>39 goals this year from 20 games, he’s on the cusp of All-Australian selection. We’re picking him for the first goal here tonight.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/port-adelaide-v-gold-coast-suns-9504814">Ben Long</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>We’re on <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl-brownlow-medal">Brownlow Medal</a> vote watch here. A big performance from Noah Anderson might be enough to secure the votes that take him over the line.&nbsp;</p> <p>He has two bites of the cherry, too, in the last round of the season. We’re tipping a strong start here.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/port-adelaide-v-gold-coast-suns-9504814">Noah Anderson 30+ disposals&nbsp;</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Port Adelaide Power vs Gold Coast Suns Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Friday, August 22, 2025</p> <p><strong>First Bounce: </strong>8:10 PM, AEST</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> Adelaide Oval, Adelaide</p> <p><strong>How to watch:</strong> Fox Footy/ Kayo Sports</p>