portadelaidefc.com.au takes a look at who’s in the mix to play in the Power’s clash against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium this Saturday.
Port Adelaide
A number of key returns could see a shuffling in the Power side this week.
Speedy forward Matt White is set to make a return after spending almost the entire season sidelined with a pectoral tear – he’ll undergo fitness testing and is a strong chance to play footy this weekend.
Also under the fitness microscope is Matthew Lobbe who may come in to aid with ruck duties after recovering from a knee injury obtained in Round 6.
If declared fit, it remains to be seen whether the duo will return via the AFL or SANFL.
Tom Jonas has served his six-game ban for striking Andrew Gaff in Round 9 and will also be available for selection.
Brad Ebert copped a bruised lung and Charlie Dixon a sore back niggles in Round 16 – but both are expected to play against the Kangaroos.
Meanwhile Sam Gray and Jimmy Toumpas are pushing for am AFL recall after standout performances in the Magpies’ 73-point win over the weekend.
Will Snelling is likely to return to the SANFL side this week after overcoming a foot injury.
Port Adelaide's most recent team – Round 16 v Hawthorn
FB: Darcy Byrne-Jones, Logan Austin, Jasper Pittard
HB: Hamish Hartlett, Tom Clurey, Nathan Krakouer
C: Aaron Young, Kane Mitchell, Brad Ebert
HF: Jake Neade, Justin Westhoff, Chad Wingard
FF: Jarman Impey, Charlie Dixon, Jay Schulz
Foll: Jackson Trengove, Travis Boak, Robbie Gray
I/C: Matthew Broadbent, Karl Amon, Ollie Wines, Cam O’Shea
Port Adelaide injury list as of Tuesday 12 July
Charlie Dixon – back (available)
Brad Ebert – bruised lung (assess)
Matthew Lobbe – knee (assess)
Will Snelling – foot (assess)
Jack Hombsch – quad (3-4 weeks)
Alipate Carlile – knee (5-7 weeks)
Dougal Howard - knee (season)
Aidyn Johnson - hamstring (season)
Long term injury list
Matt White – pectoral (assess)
SANFL contract list
Robbie Young – collarbone (1-3 weeks)
North Melbourne
The Kangaroos will face at least two forced changes this week as Mason Wood and Farren Ray come out of the side with injuries.
Both came off the field during the clash with the Eagles on Sunday and have been ruled out for the upcoming Round 17 game against Port Adelaide.
However three other players - Jarrad Wale, Daniel Wells and Lachlan Hansen - are a chance to return from respective hip, calf and knee complaints.
Nick Dal Santo is also expected to come into the side after being a late withdrawal last week due to illness.
“Lachie had a minor knee issue, but has recovered well over the past couple of weeks but like both ‘Wellsy’ and ‘Waitey’ he will also need to prove his fitness at training this week,” North's director of football Geoff Walsh said.
“’Dal’ woke up on game day feeling crook, but we’re hopeful with a couple of days rest he’ll be ready to go this Saturday afternoon.”
North Melbourne’s most recent team – Round 16 v Brisbane
FB: Scott D. Thompson, Michael Firrito, Brad McKenzie
HB: Shaun Atley, Robbie Tarrant, Jed Anderson
C: Sam Gibson, Andrew Swallow, Jamie Macmillan
HF: Jack Ziebell, Ben Brown, Brent Harvey
FF: Lindsay Thomas, Drew Petrie, Mason Wood
Foll: Todd Goldstein, Ben Cunningham, Ryan Clarke
I/C: Trent Dumont, Aaron Mullett, Corey Wagner, Farren Ray
North Melbourne’s injury list
Majak Daw (ankle) – test
Lachlan Hansen (knee) – test
Daniel Nielson (knee) – test
Jarrad Waite (hip) – test
Daniel Wells (calf) – test
Taylor Garner (hamstring) – 1-2 weeks
Ben Jacobs (foot) – 2-3 weeks
Mitch Hibberd (knee) – 3-4 weeks
Shaun Higgins (knee) – 4-5 weeks
Sam Wright (ankle) – 4-5 weeks
Luke McDonald (hamstring) – 5 weeks
Farren Ray (hamstring) – 6 weeks
Mason Wood (knee) – TBC
Aaron Black (ankle) – TBC
Teams for Saturday’s clash will be revealed on Portadelaidefc.com.au this Thursday at 5.55pm ACST.
