PORT Adelaide will be bolstered by the return from injury of several players as it looks to get back on the winners’ list against Central District at Woodville Oval on Saturday night.
The game has been moved from Alberton Oval due to renovations ahead of the AFLW season.
Among those named to return are experienced campaigners Steven Motlop, Orazio Fantasia and Trent Dumont, while young gun Josh Sinn will play his first game since Round 2 in the AFL after recovering from a groin injury.
Coach Matthew Lokan said while he’s pleased to get some much-needed reinforcements into the side, playing better football for four quarters is important.
“We need to turn our form around,” Lokan said. “We haven't had the strong month that we would have liked.
“It's nice to get back some players, we play after the AFL game this week, which is helpful (because AFL emergencies can also be added to the side).
“We expect a really, really strong showing against Centrals this week with a more experienced team.”
Brynn Teakle will return to the side for his first SANFL game since the last time the Magpies played the Bulldogs, and second game overall since being picked up in the AFL’s mid-season rookie draft. The talented ruck is a welcome addition for Lokan.
“It'll be nice to have some extra height,” he said.
“I think with Ollie Lord playing in the backline, we've probably been a little bit smaller in the front half than what we were earlier in the season.
“To be able to have Brynn in allows us to play two of those rucks in the front half. He was really competitive against them last time.
“Steven Motlop will also be back into the team after traveling last week and depending on what happens with the AFL side to be able to have the emergencies available to play for us is important for our team.”
The Bulldogs have been in decent form of late despite a loss to Sturt last week, and Lokan is expecting plenty from the side sitting one win and one place above his on the SANFL ladder.
“We're looking forward to the game on Saturday night, it'll be a little bit strange to be able to play Centrals at Woodville Oval in a night game,” he said.
“They're competitive regardless of where they sit on the ladder, they always bring a really competitive, fast brand of football.
“When we're playing our best that's what we want to bring as well so it should be a competitive game, they're strong in the midfield, led well by the Schillers.
“We’ll have to be right on top to be able to get the result we're after.”
First bounce is at 7.40pm at Woodville.
