PORT ADELAIDE has five players ready to jump off the injury list among a host of players hoping to be recalled to the AFL side in place of the injured Lachie Jones.
Jones came from the field late against Fremantle with a hamstring strain and was replaced by medical substitute Steven Motlop for the remainder of the match.
Motlop is pushing his claims for a role in the starting 22 but five players who missed the match with injury are also in contention.
Leading the contenders is Zak Butters, who will need to train strongly on Thursday to show he has overcome a knee ligament concern that has kept him out of the last two games and be considered for selection.
Wingman Xavier Duursma, who was a late withdrawal from the game against the Dockers with quad tightness, is also in the frame to play.
Defender Tom Clurey will also look to prove he has overcome a knee complaint that saw him miss the trip to Perth, while fellow backman Riley Bonner could make a return after missing just one game following surgery on a fractured cheekbone and eye socket. He requires clearance from his surgeon to be available to play.
Ruckman Scott Lycett could play his first game since dislocating his shoulder in Round 4 and having a shoulder reconstruction. The experienced big man will join full training on Thursday but it remains to be seen whether he will need a run in the SANFL given his lengthy layoff.
While the SANFL match against North Adelaide was one to forget for Port Adelaide, there were some individuals who battled hard on a tough day.
Sam Mayes was the standout with 26 disposals and six clearances to go with a game-high eight tackles.
Dante Visentini toiled hard in the ruck against the bigger and more experienced Mitch Harvey, finishing with 21 hit-outs, four tackles and three marks while Ollie Lord (15 disposals playing in defence) and Jed McEntee (15 disposals, four tackles) had solid showings.
Martin Frederick gathered nine disposals but was taken off early to be an AFL emergency while fellow emergency Taj Schofield didn’t feature at any level but has been close to selection after a consistent patch of form.
With ruckman Sam Hayes and defender Sam Skinner emerging from health and safety protocols, the selection options are plentiful this week.
Port Adelaide will on Thursday evening name its side to face Greater Western Sydney on Saturday night.
First bounce at Adelaide Oval is at 7:00pm ACST.