In the lead-up to Sunday’s Round 18 clash against Port Adelaide, a lions.com.au article outlined the history between the Lions and Power over the past 17 seasons.

Not only had there been an exorbitant amount of close matches between these two proud clubs, but the outcomes have generally had a significant bearing on eventual ladder positions.  

And the most recent result continued that trend.

A low-scoring, dour affair at AAMI Stadium saw the lead never extend beyond two goals, with Port Adelaide able to hang on in the end by just nine points.

It was the 11^th time in the two clubs’ 28 meetings that the final margin was less than two straight kicks; meaning 39% of matches played between the Lions and Port Adelaide have been on knife’s edge until the final siren.

The tight finishes have been particularly evident in recent years, with their past five meetings resulting in an average winning margin of just 14.6 points.

Sunday’s outcome also had a significant bearing on the potential race towards the 2013 Finals, with Port clinging onto that treasured eighth position on the AFL ladder.

Had the Lions won, they would have shot into 10^th spot, and been just four premiership points behind both Port and Carlton.

Instead, the narrow loss leaves them three games (and a fair amount of percentage) outside the top eight with only five matches remaining.

September is now only a very slim mathematical possibility for Michael Voss’ men.

No doubt Sunday’s match will go down as another critical chapter in the saga between the Lions and Port Adelaide.