Which game will Wests bring with them to Noel Mulligan Oval this Sunday? That's the question Port are asking in the lead up to their highly anticipated round 13 clash this weekend. Wests were among the form teams of the competition before losing their last two games.

The Blacks were beaten convincingly when they visited Parrish Park in Round 4 (42-18). That game seemed to be the catalyst for the Devils to launch their assault on the competition, the westerners going on to win six consecutive games before losing to Thirroul (22-18) and Collegians (30-18) in successive games and in doing so, relinquishing their second place on the Tooheys League ladder. Wests currently sit in fourth place, just four points ahead of Dapto and Corrimal.

The Blacks started off the season with a crushing victory over Helensburgh before losing to University, having a bye, then getting beaten by Wests. But they started a run of six successive victories by beating Wollongong in Round 5. The winning streak continues after having defeated Corrimal mid-week in a deferred match by a scoreline of 50-16. Port sit in second place, two points ahead of Thirroul and four points ahead of Wests.

Port will still be without inspirational Captain-Coach Craig Simon, the rock solid centre gradually overcoming a back injury. Grant Bobbin, only recently back from injury, is again sidelined with a crook knee, while Nathan Heffernan continues a good recovery from his knee injury, but will still watch from the sidelines.

Johno Johnson and Mark Simon continue to lead the way for The Blacks. Johnson in particular had an outstanding game against Corrimal on Wednesday night, his two passes while falling to the ground under Cougar pressure a highlight of his performance. Mark Simon schemed and directed all night, but failed to cross for a try, leaving the livewire half with 16 tries from 10 games this year. He will no doubt be hungry to add to his tally and needs only two points to register his 300 points for Port Kembla from just 27 games.

Paul Lokys has been a breath of fresh air since his return to The Blacks thanks to an easing of work commitments. He has been in scintillating form and promises to continue this for his cheer squad on the eastern hill as he takes the field for his 50th first grade game for The Blacks.

In the forwards, Clint Hill and Nick Nikitaras will look to continue the great form they displayed against Corrimal. Both props toiled tirelessly in the win and made valuable ground for Port when it was needed most. Nikitaras in particular lifted another notch to post his best performance of the year so far.

Grant Roberts remains in doubt after succumbing to an injury early in the match against Corrimal, but coach Simon has some good options to replace him if he needs to. Wayne Harvey has been outstanding in Reserve Grade while Daniel Jiminez had one of his best outings against Corrimal. Replacement player Junior Phillip showed enough to suggest that he will be a handful off the bench, while Matt Skora impressed in the time he had on the field.

Wests will again be led in the backs by Captain Coach Brendon Reeves and in the forwards by prop Jade Lucas. Both players have had great years with the Devils in 2004 and will look for a repeat of the round 4 result. Clay Campbell has been a revelation for Wests this season and he will no doubt try to add his stamp to the game with his trademark strong running and clever off-loads. Sam Dorahy adds spark and stability to a Wests backline which is up against a relatively inexperienced, yet consistent Port opposition in Lulia Lulia and Glen McPhee. Both Blacks have had break-out seasons, showing that they can ably make the transition from Juniors to Seniors.

Reserve Grade pits first place (18 points) against third (16) in what promises to be an intriguing game. Port went down to Wests by a scoreline of 20-12 in their previous clash, but it was perhaps the start of the "real" Port reserve grade team, going from strength to strength to now sit in third place just two points shy of the competition leaders. A scrappy win against Berkeley last outing followed a dismal display against University in treacherous conditions.

The already congested Reserve Grade competition ladder could become even tighter if results this weekend go certain ways. Port and Wests are the only two top six teams to be playing each other, all remaining teams taking on the opposition occupying positions seven to twelve on the ladder. If the Blacks can overcome Wests, Thirroul beat Corrimal, University defeat Berkeley and Collegians and Dapto overpower Wollongong and Helensburgh respectively, the table will see Thirroul, Wests, Port Kembla and University all locked on 18 points, with Collegians and Dapto sitting a point adrift on 17. This would mean that Dapto, in sixth spot, would be just one point off the lead with five rounds remaining. The round 13 game against Wests is made even more important for Port given that in the last five games they will still face three of the top five teams.

Under 18's will kick off the day at 12pm and will be out to score a win over the only Illawarra team who have beaten them this year. The Blacks led Wests by 12 points earlier in the season only to lose by the same margin. Wests will be without former Port player Zac Hill who is on rep duties with the NSW squad in New Zealand. Never the less, Wests will have plenty of firepower to try and outpoint Port.

For the Blacks, Keiran Jack and Lulia Lulia have been the pick of the players in recent weeks, but it ishard to single out players in a team who truly play as one and have many contributors - more even than the thirteen who start the game. Aaron Troiano and Scott Crowther have had strong seasons and John Koot and Anthony Harris provide a much under-rated prop-forward combination.

The Sunday of league is also vital to Port's Club Championship prospects. Port are ahead on the Club Championship ladder with 113 combined points, ahead of Wests who are on 100 points. With twelve points up for grabs on Sunday, it will be all hands on deck in all grades to get over the line.

A huge crowd is expected with this game being the only local footy on the Sunday, so anyone thinking of getting down for the game may as well arrive at 12pm to see the 18's take to the field to ensure you get a good position.