IN: Burgoyne, Byrne-Jones, Gray
OUT: Bonner (injured), Frederick (omitted), Motlop (omitted)
AS confirmed on Friday by football boss Chris Davies, Jase Burgoyne will make his AFL debut in Sunday’s big game against Fremantle among three changes to Port Adelaide’s side for the trip to Perth.
Burgoyne – the son of 2004 premiership player Peter Burgoyne – was the 60th pick in the 2021 AFL National Draft as a father-son selection and has impressed in 10 SANFL games for the club this season.
The 18-year-old averages 20.1 disposals at 92 per-cent efficiency this year as well as four marks and 2.7 tackles.
A slim but composed half back, Burgoyne will be joined in the line-up by deputy vice-captain Darcy Byrne-Jones and experienced forward Robbie Gray.
Byrne-Jones returns after missing last week’s win over Gold Coast under the AFL’s health and safety protocols while Gray has been rested for two games to allow him to get some conditioning after an early season knee injury.
Surgery to repair a fractured cheekbone and eye socket will keep defender Riley Bonner out of the side while Martin Frederick and Steven Motlop have been omitted.
Motlop and Frederick are among the emergencies named, along with midfielders Miles Bergman and Taj Schofield.
The medical substitute will be named from among the list of emergencies an hour before Sunday’s 3:20pm AWST / 4:50pm ACST first bounce at Optus Stadium.
The game will be All-Australian defender Aliir Aliir’s 100th at AFL level. He played 64 for Sydney and 35 since arriving at Alberton at the end of 2020.
Round 16 Team Selection
B: R. Burton 3, T Jonas -C 1, T. McKenzie 12
HB: D. Byrne-Jones 33, A. Aliir 21, D. Houston 5
C: K. Amon 15, W. Drew 28, K. Farrell 24
HF: L. Jones 34, T. Marshall 4, C. Rozee 20
F: R. Gray 9, C. Dixon 22, S. Powell-Pepper 2
Foll: J. Finlayson 11, O. Wines 16, T. Boak 10
I/C: X. Duursma 7, M. Georgiades 19, J. Burgoyne 36, J. Mead 44
Emergencies: S. Motlop 6, M. Bergman 14, T. Schofield 37, M. Frederick 45
