FORWARD John Butcher will play his first SANFL game for Port Adelaide since 2016 after being named to take on South Adelaide on Saturday.

Butcher, who has trained with the group in recent weeks, has been signed to the SANFL contracted list.

The 30-year-old played 69 SANFL games for 118 goals for the club between 2010 and 2016, and most recently played with Central District in 2020, booting 21 goals in 10 games.

Butcher has been playing with Hamley Bridge in the Adelaide Plains Football League this season, but has also recently represented Maffra in regional Victoria and Nightcliffe in the Northern Territory.

Unley Jets midfielder Oliver Cheesman has been named for his second league game for the club having made his debut in the Round 15 win over West Adelaide, while Tyson Goldsack returns after missing last week’s loss to Sturt with injury.

Steven Motlop goes out of the side, having been elevated into the AFL line-up and Matt Appleton has been omitted.

After standout SANFL performances Sam Powell-Pepper and Jarrod Lienert have been named among the AFL emergencies alongside Sam Mayes and Tom Clurey.

They will be eligible to feature at SANFL level if not required for the club’s game against the Western Bulldogs on Friday evening.

First bounce at Alberton Oval is at 2:05pm on Saturday.

Round 18 SANFL Team Selection