Aliir Aliir and Robbie Gray could return to face Carlton, having both served a stint on the sidelines. Image: Matt Sampson.

PORT ADELAIDE will be forced into at least one change for its Easter Sunday clash with Carlton with Ollie Wines confirmed to miss the game.

The Brownlow Medallist was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation after spending a night in hospital with an irregular heartbeat, and while he is feeling well, he won’t face the Blues.

Trent McKenzie – a late withdrawal from last Thursday’s game against Melbourne – has had a knee clean-out and will miss again so news that All-Australian backman Aliir Aliir is in the mix for a return following ankle surgery is very welcome indeed.

Training - 13 April

The team hits the track for a Wednesday training session. Images: Matt Sampson.
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Aliir was injured against Brisbane in Round 1 and had surgery a few days later, but has been increasing his running at training with a view to putting himself in the frame to play this week.

Experienced forward Robbie Gray could also come into contention having been out of the side since Round 1, first with knee soreness and then under the AFL’s health and safety protocols.

Off-season recruit Trent Dumont was last week’s medical substitute, called upon at half time when Wines was subbed out, and backed up in the SANFL less than two days later to push his claims to take Wines’ place again with 21 disposals, six clearances and a whopping 12 tackles.

Farrell returns
“I felt like a little kid again getting to go back out and play footy for the first time in a while"

With ruckman Scott Lycett under an injury cloud after dislocating his shoulder in the loss to the Demons, the untried Sam Hayes is in the mix for an AFL debut following another strong showing in the SANFL. Against South Adelaide Hayes had a game-high 32 hit-outs to go with 13 disposals and a goal.

Forward Jeremy Finlayson’s name will be high on the whiteboard after his best showing in club colours since his off-season move from Greater Western Sydney. Finlayson booted six goals in the SANFL from 15 disposals and commanded the forward line with six marks despite being targeted physically by South Adelaide’s defenders.

Another to impress against the Panthers was Martin Frederick, who has been used as an AFL medical substitute already this season. Frederick racked up 21 touches, four tackles, two clearances and a crowd-lifting long goal.

Coming off nine months out after a knee reconstruction, Kane Farrell could also be in the mix for an AFL return having had 17 disposals along with four tackles and three inside 50s in his football comeback at Alberton Oval, although selectors could opt to give him another game at the lower level to build match fitness.

Port Adelaide will name an extended squad for its game against Carlton on Thursday evening before finalising its team on Friday.