With a critical game against Carlton this Sunday, it will be as important as ever to get the team mix right.
There are few certainties ahead of the Power’s main training session on Thursday, however it seems unlikely that Jasper Pittard will be named in the team this week.
In contrast, Dom Cassisi will look to get through tomorrow’s main session after being similarly listed for assessment at training this week, and provide himself with the best possible chance for a recall to the Power line-up.
Cassisi withdrew late from last Saturday’s 41-point loss to Richmond with hamstring soreness.
As ever, previously omitted players like Paul Stewart, Matthew Lobbe and Brent Renouf will look to be recalled into the Power’s side.
Lobbe and Renouf may be forced to wait a little longer though if the coaches decide Jarrad Redden played the role of sole ruckman well enough to be retained against the Blues.
But also pushing hard for selection will be in-form SANFL players Tom Logan and Matt Thomas.
The Power’s football development manager Daniel Healy told portadelaidefc.com.au today the pair remains great prospects for a call up if similar players are omitted.
Campbell Heath was subbed out of last week’s game against the Tigers and typically 'sub-outs' could be at risk of being omitted the following week.
But Heath has been a regular performer down back for the Power each week and senior coach Ken Hinkley hinted his substitution was as much about injecting Kane Mitchell’s highly vaunted running ability into the game.
portadelaidefc.com.au’s predicted starting line up
FB: Cameron O’Shea, Alipate Carille, Campbell Heath
HB: Lewis Stevenson, Tom Jonas, Dom Cassisi*
C: Kane Cornes, Travis Boak, Matthew Broadbent
HF: Chad Wingard, Jay Schulz, Angus Monfries
FF: Jake Neade, Justin Westhoff, Robbie Gray
Foll: Jarrad Redden, Hamish Hartlett, Brad Ebert
Int from: Oliver Wines, Andrew Moore, Sam Colquhoun, Kane Mitchell
*into side
Port Adelaide injury list
Dom Cassisi – hamstring soreness (assess)
Jasper Pittard – hip flexor (TBC)
Brett Ebert – adductor (4 weeks)
Jackson Trengove – foot (8 weeks)
Enemy Lines: Carlton
Carlton has been hit hard by injury.
Livewire forward Eddie Betts will miss Sunday’s match after being suspended for three games for rough conduct against St Kilda Nathan Wright on Monday night.
Chris Yarran could miss the match after leaving the ground with injury in the same game.
David Ellard will miss five weeks with a calf injury sustained during the first quarter against the Saints.
But Michael Jamison, Andrew Carrazzo and Bryce Gibbs are all firming to be cleared fit to play.
Carlton’s last team
FB: Lachie Henderson, Michael Jamison, Chris Yarran
HB: Simon White, David Armfield, Zac Tuohy
C: David Ellard, Chris Judd, Kane Lucas
HF: Jeff Garlett, Andrew Walker, Ed Curnow
FF: Matthew Kruezer, Shaun Hampson, Eddie Betts
Foll: Robbie Warnock, Marc Murphy, Heath Scotland
Int from: Kade Simpson, Mitch Robinson, Brock McLean, Jaryd Cachia
Carlton’s injury list
Andrew Carrazo – calf (test)
Bryce Gibbs – hamstring (test)
Michael Jamison – shoulder (test)
Chris Yarran – hamstring (test)
Andrew McInnes – knee (4 weeks)
Nick Graham – knee (4 weeks)
David Ellard – calf (5 weeks)
Rhys O’Keefe – foot (indefinite)
