PORT ADELAIDE will again rely on an inexperienced side as it battles top of the table North Adelaide today at Prospect Oval.
From the loss to Glenelg last week, Matthew Lobbe, Kye Roberts, Orazio Fantasia, Taj Schofield, Sam Hayes and Miles Bergman come out, while forward Ollie Lord – who was a late withdrawal with hamstring tightness – has been named.
SANFL-listed players Dylan Aldridge, Aryan Sareen, Tom Corcoran and Miller Carter have also been included in the line-up.
Coach Matthew Lokan said he’s expecting a tough contest against the competition’s top side.
“It’s been another challenging week, we’ve lost a few players with the AFL side playing Sunday,” he said.
“It gives the contracted players an opportunity to tackle a pretty strong team in North.
“It’s going to be a tough challenge but one we’re ready to take on.”
Aaron Young dominated proceedings last time the two sides met, amassing 41 touches with 12 marks and a goal.
He was also dominant last week in the Roosters’ comfortable win over Central District with 32 disposals, 12 clearances and five goals.
Lokan added his side will give some focus to the former Port player.
“We’ll need to put some time into him,” he said.
“In his good games this year he’s been a very good player, and he had a great game against us last time.
“Hopefully we can limit his impact on the game.”
Port Adelaide enjoys a good record against North in recent years including ten wins in the last 15 meetings, however at Prospect Oval the sides have split the last four games two wins apiece.
The Roosters have won the last two games between the sides including by 47 points when they last played at Alberton Oval in Round 8.
The game is part of the SANFL’s Indigenous round with Port Adelaide to wear a modified version of the AFL Sir Doug Nicholls Round guernsey that defender/forward Lachie Jones and his aunt designed.
The competition will also pause for a moment’s silence following the welcome or acknowledgement of country in honour of the late Neil Kerley, who died in a car crash during the week.
The first bounce at Prospect Oval is at 2.10pm.
