PORT ADELAIDE will be forced into at least one change at the selection table for Sunday’s big game against Fremantle with injury to rule Riley Bonner out of the trip to Perth.

Bonner suffered a fractured cheek and eye socket in the second quarter of the weekend’s win over Gold Coast and has had surgery, which will rule him out for three to four weeks.

But there is no shortage of players primed to take his spot – none moreso than fellow half back Darcy Byrne-Jones who was forced to miss the Suns game under the AFL’s Health and Safety protocols.

Part of the club’s leadership group, Byrne-Jones has been a mainstay in defence since his AFL debut in 2016, missing just one of the last 142 games including 86 in-a-row before last week.

Another backman emerging from the protocols is Tom Clurey, who will be eager to return to the fold after being a strong performer in 10 games so far this season.

Midfielder Zak Butters is a chance to return from a knee injury but will need to get through training and prove he has overcome the medial sprain that kept him out of the most recent game.

And while we’re on injury returns, coach Ken Hinkley hinted after the win over the Suns that ruckman Scott Lycett was in the frame to play this week. Whether he comes back into the AFL side or plays in the SANFL after a 12-week layoff following shoulder surgery remains to be seen.

Experienced forward Robbie Gray is another who is eager for a game, having been rested for the last two. It would be hard to leave the classy campaigner out for another week, but it will depend on his conditioning.

Forward Orazio Fantasia is “pushing hard” for selection, according to Hinkley. After having his start to the campaign delayed by knee surgery and a quad complaint, Fantasia was among the best for Port Adelaide in the SANFL on Saturday – his first game of the season.

Playing on the ball for much of the game, the 26-year-old found plenty of the ball, winning 17 disposals and three clearances to go with six tackles. He was inaccurate in front of goal, though, with 0.4.

AFL emergencies Taj Schofield and Jase Burgoyne have put several weeks of good form together and have been pressing for respective AFL debuts, while the reliable Sam Mayes is a versatile option who was the unused medical substitute on Sunday and will also come into the calculations.

Port Adelaide will on Thursday evening name an extended squad for the game against the Dockers before trimming it to 22 and four emergencies on Friday afternoon.

First bounce at Optus Stadium on Sunday is at 3:20pm AWST / 4:50pm ACST.