AFL finals LIVE: Port on the ropes as duo go down seconds after sub ...

Port Adelaide head into Saturday’s qualifying final knowing they will have to achieve something no team has in 2023 – travel to the Gabba and come away with a win.

The Lions have turned their home ground into a fortress in 2023 – going undefeated against all 11 challengers who headed north this season.

But the Power weren’t one of those opponents, with their last trip to the Gabba coming 18 months ago – and ended in a narrow loss.

Watch every match of the 2023 Toyota AFL Finals Series before the Grand Final Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo Sports. Join now and start streaming instantly >

The Lions head into Saturday’s clash as favourites with coach Chris Fagan this week stating this year was his side’s “best opportunity” to win the premiership.

The Power meantime have been under plenty of pressure over their use of Oppenheimer as the club’s theme for this week’s final.

Given the movie’s association with atomic bombs that eventually devastated Hiroshima and Nagasaki, many critics found the theme in poor taste.

Veteran Ollie Wines said some teammates were left “scratching their heads” over the theme given they hadn’t seen the movie.

Coach Ken Hinkley was forced to defend the theme during a tense press conference on Friday – before conceding he too hadn’t seen the film.

“Every club has some type of theme they may or may not use,” he said.

“The key part about that I think Ollie (Wines) explained it incredibly well is it’s just a little story about how people had to come together over a long period of time to work really hard on one single thing – an outcome we’re trying to get.

“For us, we’ve been at this task for a good period of time – four or five years.

“I haven’t seen the movie myself so it’s not that big a theme for us.

“Let’s not go to that dark spot you’re trying to take it. I think it’s unfair.”

This match gets underway at 7:25pm AEST from the Gabba.

Watch it live on Fox Footy (Channel 504) from 7pm AEST.

QUARTER BY QUARTER MATCH REPORT

There were no late changes to either side, with Port veteran Travis Boak and Lion Jarryd Lyons named as the subs.

A bit of magic from Willie Rioli wasn’t rewarded by young Jed McEntee in his first final, but the early signs were good for the Power away from home.

But Port were letting themselves down by foot with two out of bounds on the full trying to send it forward.

Lion Eric Hipwood couldn’t convert his set shot from 20m out on a slight angle in a nervous start by both sides.

Conor McKenna was the first injury concern after his got his ankle caught in a marking contest. The Brisbane backman made his way to the bench to get the injury assessed.

When Zac Bailey burnt Dan Houston on the boundary and backed himself in, it was Brisbane with the opening goal of the match.

Todd Marshall had a horror first shot on goal for Port as he missed the lot from 35m out, while Ollie Lord’s snap crashed into the post.

McKenna was able to return to the contest but coughed up a high contact free to Marshall – who again missed, at least managing a behind this time.

Port star Zak Butters could find himself in hot water after camera caught an off-the-ball hit on Lion Dayne Zorko.

Butters was seen approaching the Lions’ veteran from behind and knocking him to the Gabba turf in a moment that sparked a push and shove.

“He’s playing with fire,” commentator Abbey Holmes said.

By quarter time, it was Brisbane leading 21-10.

Joe Daniher extended Brisbane’s margin early in the second as Port’s struggles to clear their back half continued.

The Power’s woes in front of goal rolled on – this time Sam Powell-Pepper spraying his set shot and then Jeremy Finlayson.

It took a big snap from youngster Ollie Lord to get his second – and his side’s second goal of the night.

But Cam Rayner had the immediate response after Charlie Cameron chased down Jason Horne-Francis – and let him know all about it, sparking another scuffle.

A third goal to Lord and finally Marshall’s first – after a bit of luck when the ball was called back despite Jeremy Finlayson missing with his snap – ensured the Power were right back in the contest.

When Connor Rozee went bang off one step outside the arc, Powell-Pepper did the heavy lifting on the goal line to ensure the ball sailed through and suddenly the Power had a two-point lead.

But just as Port looked to have momentum, the Lions responded with three straight goals as down the other end, Marshall’s woes in front of goal resurfaced - failing to score from 40m out on a slight angle.

Staring down a 52-36 deficit at the main break, it was Rioli with the quick snap to start the third to give Port the perfect start.

But like the second term, Brisbane found another gear when pressed as first Jaspa Fletcher and then Charlie Cameron - twice - got the Lions out to a 28-point lead.

Marshall finally found his radar when his side desperately needed a goal - but Joe Daniher had the instant reply for Brisbane.

Back-to-back goals for the Power, including young Lord’s fourth of the night kept the visitors within striking distance as Travis Boak was activated as the sub.

But it was terrible timing as Dylan Williams came from the ground grabbing at his hamstring - but Darcy Byrne-Jones was already placed on the back row of the bench.

And it only got worse when Trent McKenzie got his ankle trapped in a marking contest 90 seconds later and couldn’t get up, throwing away his mouthguard in disgust.

“You’d be sitting there from Port Adelaide going what did we do wrong?” commentator Luke Hodge said.

“We make a call - and a split second later... it’s all about timing.”

“You pull the trigger.... it’s terrible luck,” Shaun Burgoyne added.

And down a man, the Power folded to cough up late goals.

By three quarter time, the Lions blew the lead out 101-63.

Follow Brisbane vs Port Adelaide in the live blog below!

Can’t see the blog? Tap here