In: Fantasia, Wilson, T.Burgoyne, Carter, Wildman
Out: Dixon (AFL), Frederick (AFL), McEntee (AFL), Skinner (concussion), Lee (knee)
ORAZIO FANTASIA will make his return to competitive football as one of five changes for Port Adelaide’s SANFL game against North Adelaide on Saturday.
Fantasia had been expected to play his first game for the year in last week’s win over West Adelaide in Loxton but was forced to wait another week after experiencing tightness in his quad.
The 26-year-old replaces experienced big man Charlie Dixon who has been called up to the AFL side after playing two SANFL games following two rounds of ankle surgery.
The injured Jackson Lee and Sam Skinner also drop out of the team which beat the Bloods by 24 points, while Martin Frederick and Jed McEntee are also out after being named alongside Dixon in an extended AFL squad for Sunday’s meeting with Essendon.
Lee’s knee injury is likely to keep him sidelined for 4-6 weeks while Skinner will miss the game under the AFL’s mandatory 12-day concussion protocols.
Joining Fantasia in the Magpies line-up are crafty forwards Anthony Wilson and Trent Burgoyne, and fellow SANFL contracted players Miller Carter and Campbell Wildman.
North has lost just once this season and sits second on the ladder but Port has a strong recent record against the Roosters winning three of the last four meetings between the sides and five of the last six at Alberton Oval.
Saturday’s game at Alberton gets underway at 1:10pm.
Round 8 Team Selection
F: N. Moore 40, D. Williams 23, O. Lord 30
HF: E. Moore 46, T. Burgoyne 27, O. Fantasia 13
C: S. Mayes 32, J. Mead 44, M. Bergman 14
HB: B. Kirk 50, C. Sutcliffe -C 1, J. Burgoyne 36
FB: J. Weidemann 56, L. Surman 16, T. Corcoran 55
Foll: D. Visentini 38, T. Schofield 37, X. Duursma 7
Int: A. Wilson 49, C. Wildman 42, H. Jackson 39, M. Carter 52
