portadelaidefc.com.au takes a look at who’s in the mix to hit the field in Friday night’s clash with Essendon at Adelaide Oval.
Port Adelaide
With several first-choice players confirmed outs this week, Port Adelaide will delve deeper into its stocks to bolster its side to face Essendon on Friday night.
Chad Wingard has been sidelined with a hamstring problem after Showdown XL, while Jay Schulz remains injured with a sore back, leaving opportunities for others to step up in the forward line.
John Butcher is in the mix, earning a player of the week gong in the SANFL thanks to a four-goal performance, while Karl Amon could also earn an AFL callup – he was named in the Power's emergencies in Round 2.
Speaking with media on Wednesday, senior coach Ken Hinkley also pointed to speedy midfielder Sam Colquhoun and swingman Paul Stewart as possible inclusions to the Power’s Round 3 side.
Port Adelaide's most recent team – Round 2 v Adelaide Crows
FB: Jasper Pittard, Alipate Carlile, Jack Hombsch
HB: Jarman Impey, Jasper Pittard, Matthew Broadbent
C: Sam Gray, Travis Boak, Jared Polec
HF: Aaron Young, Charlie Dixon, Chad Wingard
FF: Justin Westhoff, Jake Neade, Robbie Gray
Foll: Matthew Lobbe, Brad Ebert, Ollie Wines
I/C: Jimmy Toumpas, Jackson Trengove, Dougal Howard, Brendon Ah Chee
Port Adelaide injury list as of Monday 4 April
Chad Wingard – hamstring (TBC)
Jay Schulz – back (assess)
Hamish Hartlett – hamstring soreness (assess)
Nathan Krakouer - jaw (1-2 weeks)
Billy Frampton – foot (2 weeks)
Dan Houston – hip/groin (2 weeks)
Tom Clurey – foot (2 weeks)
Long term injury list
Matt White - pectoral (indefinite)
Essendon
Round 3 could see the return of small forward James Polkinghorne after essendonfc.com.au confirmed he’s made a recovery from a calf injury.
He’ll be available for selection along with Orazio Fantasia who was helped from the field during the Bombers’ clash with Melbourne, but has since been cleared of injury.
Former Crow Shaun McKernan is also a slight chance to hit the field against the Power. He came off after an impressive 6-goal performance in the VFL with an ankle issue, but recent excellent form suggests if he clears scans, he’s a chance to be selected in the top side.
Essendon’s most recent squad – Round 2 v Melbourne
FB: Matt Dea, Mitch Brown, Mark Baguley
HB: James Gwilt, Michael Hartley, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
C: Brendon Goddard, David Zaharakis, Jackson Merrett
HF: Zach Merrett, Patrick Ambrose, Kyle Langford
FF: Mathew Stokes, Joe Daniher, Nick Kommer
Foll: Matthew Leuenberger, Ryan Crowley, Darcy Parish
I/C: Martin Gleeson, Orazio Fantasia, Adam Cooney, James Kelly
Essendon injury list
Jason Ashby – knee
Jayden Laverde – ankle
Tom Wallis – hamstring
James Polkinghorne - calf
Port Adelaide hosts Essendon in Round 3 on Friday, April 8 at 7:20pm (ACST).
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