PORT Adelaide will host Adelaide Oval’s first AFL game on Anzac Day — and the Power has scored a blockbuster that could rewrite attendance records at the venue from the duel with AFL premier Hawthorn.

The game — a rematch of the epic preliminary final won by the Hawks by three points at the MCG — will be played as a Saturday night event with a 7.10 start.

Port Adelaide made an Anzac Round clash at home its major request for the AFL fixture that will be released on Thursday. To score the AFL premier with the Saturday night timeslot reflects the new power Port Adelaide has at the AFL planning table where league executive Simon Lethlean is rewarding the Power for drawing crowds at the Oval and generating impressive television ratings.

This is the benefit from the highly lauded game-day presentation the Power has developed at the Oval — and has promised to enhance again next season — and coach Ken Hinkley’s determination to play attractive, entertaining football that translate to the television audience.

Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas tonight thanked the AFL for answering the club’s major request in its fixture submission.

“We are thrilled the AFL has provided us the opportunity to host such a significant game on such a significant day,” Thomas said.

“Port Adelaide has a long association with Anzac and we are humbled by the opportunity to be part of the AFL’s commemorations of the centenary of the Anzac story.

“We’ll be working with our partner, the RSL of SA, to ensure a respectful game day presentation for this significant milestone and our whole club is looking forward to being part of a special Anzac Day for the entire AFL community.

“We think it’s an excellent opportunity to showcase our proud association with the RSL and play in front of what should be another huge turnout against the reigning premiers.”

media_camera The Anzac Day clash with Hawthorn could attract a record crowd.

The AFL attendance record to break at the Oval is 52,233 from the Power-Hawthorn clash in Saturday night football in the city in late May this year.

It is just the third time AFL football will be played on Anzac Day in Adelaide — after the Crows hosted Sydney in 1999 and the Power played the Western Bulldogs in 2004. Both games were at Football Park.

Anzac Day will be on Saturday, April 25 with no public holiday in SA on the Monday.

Port Adelaide’s opening month in the AFL premiership season will be commercially attractive but challenging for Ken Hinkley’s team with matches against Fremantle, Sydney, Adelaide and Hawthorn.

ANZAC TRADITION

SINCE joining the AFL in 1997, Port Adelaide has played at home during the Anzac Round in every season but 1998, 1999 and 2001.

The Power has

HOSTED 12 Anzac clashes — five against St Kilda, two against Geelong and one against each of Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast, West Coast and the Western Bulldogs.

PLAYED in three Showdowns with the Crows as the “away” team — 2002, 2003 and 2012.

Only one game has fallen on Anzac Day, April 25 — against the Western Bulldogs in 2004.

The biggest crowd to an Anzac Round game in Adelaide featuring the Power was 51,140 at the 2003 Showdown at Football Park.

The first Anzac Round AFL clash at Adelaide Oval — the Power hosting Geelong in the Sunday twilight clash this year — drew 47,007.