PORT ADELAIDE has submitted to the AFL a list of 20 players from SANFL clubs as COVID-19 Contingency players.

Among those nominated are Magarey Medallist Bryce Gibbs and former Port Adelaide AFL-listed players Hamish Hartlett, Cam Sutcliffe, Trent Burgoyne and Matthew Lobbe.

THE AFL has given clubs the option to sign back-up players to navigate the risks of the pandemic and maintain the integrity of the competition.

Port Adelaide was able to list 19-year-old Next Generation Academy (NGA) players who have been involved in its program, players from its SANFL list or players from West Adelaide, Norwood, South Adelaide or Woodville-West Torrens – its four NGA aligned clubs.

Its list had to include a minimum of four players from its SANFL list and it was only allowed to add a maximum of four players from each of those NGA aligned clubs.

Port Adelaide’s Contingency List includes several players with experience at AFL clubs.

From South Adelaide it has listed Ryan Garthwaite (Richmond), Gibbs (Carlton and Adelaide), Keegan Brooksby (Gold Coast, West Coast and Hawthorn) and Oscar Clavarino (St Kilda).

Norwood’s Jay Rantall (Collingwood), Ben Jarvis (Geelong), Declan Hamilton (Western Bulldogs) and Jacob Kennerley (Geelong) are also on the back-up list.

Lobbe’s listing comes after he signed on with Port Adelaide’s SANFL side after returning to the club in a dual operations and ruck coach role.

Port Adelaide will only be able to activate a player from its Contingency List for training if the number of AFL listed players that are available to be selected for either AFL or State League / Second Tier matches fall below 30 due to the combined impact of COVID Health & Safety Protocols, normal football injuries and general unavailability.

Should the number of AFL Listed Players that are available to be selected fall below 28 due to the combined impact of COVID Health & Safety Protocols, normal football injuries and general unavailability, then the Club may activate a player from its COVID Contingency List to play in an AFL match, however the club must prioritise the selection of AFL listed players where reasonable.

The AFL has stipulated that if the club has less than 30 AFL Listed players available, but this is not due to any player being subject to COVID Health & Safety Protocols, then it will not be able to activate a contingency player.

Port Adelaide COVID-19 Contingency List