PORT ADELAIDE will have another debutant in the SANFL against Central District, with West Adelaide junior Kye Roberts set to make his first appearance.
Under the SANFL’s rookie program, Roberts was signed to Port Adelaide as a contracted player, but can play for the Bloods if not selected for the Magpies.
Coach Matthew Lokan said it’s great to have Roberts as a part of the side on Saturday.
“He's been playing in the under 18s for West Adelaide and as a part of the agreement we have with the SANFL, Kye has the opportunity to come and play league football for us,” he said.
“He was on our watch in regards to the draft last year, unfortunately didn't get drafted, but he's been training with us all year and he's a running halfback that will play in our backline this week, so for Kye to be able to debut and play league football out of West Adelaide's program is great for not only Kye, but also for us.
“It's exciting that he gets his opportunity at league level.”
Roberts has played eight games in the Bloods’ under 18 team, averaging 14.9 disposals a game at 69 per cent efficiency.
His best game came in a round eight loss to Woodville-West Torrens as he racked up 27 touches, six marks and three tackles.
Lokan said Magpies fans can expect to see him play as a third tall running defender.
“For us he can add some drive, he's only light in regards to his frame,” he said.
“He competes really hard and I'm really looking forward to seeing him use his athletic ability at Elizabeth Oval which is a big ground.
“He's athletic, he uses the ball really well and I'm excited to see him play.”
Mid-season draftee Brynn Teakle will also don the prison bar guernsey for the first time.
Port Adelaide will welcome back some significant names as it prepares to take on the Dogs on the vast expanses of Elizabeth Oval.
Sam Hayes, Jed McEntee and Trent McKenzie will return to the line-up – the latter after two months on the sidelines following knee surgery.
The Bulldogs sit below the Magpies with one win for the season, but coach Matthew Lokan isn’t taking them lightly.
“Centrals are always hard to beat at Elizabeth regardless of where they sit on the ladder, they bring a really competitive, fast game and they play Elizabeth Oval really well,” he said.
“We know it'll be a tough challenge and we need to be at our best to get the result we need.
“It's nice to have a week off to freshen up, we spent some time away from the club and we've had a couple of really solid sessions over this week.
“It's nice to have a strong team and it's an important game in the context of our season.
“It looks like Trent McKenzie will play some minutes, Brynn Teakle will play his first game for the club. Sam Hayes comes back to play in the team and Jed McEntee is also in after missing out against North before the bye because he was an AFL emergency.”
The Magpies will also have the four emergencies from the AFL game available for selection, including Marty Frederick who came on in the third quarter of Thursday night’s loss to Richmond after Trent Dumont hurt his calf.
The first bounce is at 2.35pm at Elizabeth.
