In the Mix: Round 5 v Cats

portadelaidefc.com.au takes a look at who’s in the mix to play in Port Adelaide’s Saturday night Anzac Day Round clash against Geelong at Adelaide Oval.

Port Adelaide

Changes to the side that went down to GWS by 86 points in the capital could be made this week.

There were no injuries to come out of Sunday’s game, and first-choice players Charlie Dixon, Robbie Gray and Hamish Hartlett escaped game suspensions after being cleared by the MRP to play this Saturday night.

However, coach Ken Hinkley could decide to make some unforced omissions.

Change could come in the form of small defender Jarman Impey, who was dropped in Round 4 after spending the first three games with the AFL side. The Power could benefit from his elite speed and step through traffic.

Paul Stewart fell out of the side after playing in the win over Essendon, so he could be a chance for a recall.

Another option lies in midfielder Sam Colquhoun who was named in the extended squad last week before becoming an emergency player - he’s proved his ability at the top level with six AFL games under his belt last season.

John Butcher is yet to earn an AFL call-up in 2016, but given his recent excellent form in the SANFL and the Power’s struggle to hit their targets inside 50, he could be a welcome change to their forward line.

Tom Clurey and Billy Frampton have recovered from foot injuries and will be available for selection with the Magpies this week.

Nathan Krakouer is also a possible in for the Magpies, pending assessment on a jaw injury – he’s only eligible to play at SANFL level as part of a pre-season ban imposed for an off-field incident.

Port Adelaide's most recent team – Round 4 v GWS Giants
FB: Tom Jonas, Jack Hombsch, Jasper Pittard
HB: Hamish Hartlett, Jackson Trengove, Matthew Broadbent
C: Jimmy Toumpas, Travis Boak, Brad Ebert
HF: Jake Neade, Charlie Dixon, Aaron Young
FF: Robbie Gray, Justin Westhoff, Chad Wingard
Foll: Matthew Lobbe, Sam Gray, Ollie Wines
I/C: Jared Polec, Darcy Byrne-Jones, Karl Amon, Brendon Ah Chee

Port Adelaide injury list as of Monday 18 April
Billy Frampton – foot (available)
Tom Clurey – foot (available)

Nathan Krakouer - jaw (assess - SANFL only)
Dan Houston – hip/groin (assess week)
Alipate Carlile – wrist (5-7 weeks)
Aidyn Johnson – hamstring (6-8 weeks)

Long term injury list
Matt White - pectoral (indefinite)
Jay Schulz – back (indefinite)

Geelong

Forward Shane Kersten came out of Geelong’s Round 4 side as a late withdrawal due to a calf niggle – he’ll need to prove his fitness at training this week in order to be available for selection against the Power.

Both veteran defender Corey Enright and injury-plagued forward Lincoln McCarthy were rested last week against Essendon as part of their management – but both are a strong chance to return to the Cats’ top side this week.

According to geelongfc.com.au, a couple of Cats coming through the VFL could also be selection prospects against the Power.

Defender Jed Bews earned himself a club best player nod at the weekend, while midfielder George Horlin-Smith is also building an AFL case after collecting 28 disposals and nine clearances in the Cats’ VFL side.

Geelong’s most recent squad – Round 4 v Essendon
FB: Andrew Mackie, Harry Taylor, Lachie Henderson
HB: Tom Ruggles, Tom Lonergan, Cameron Guthrie
C: LaSteven Motlop, Patrick Dangerfield, Mitch Duncan
HF: Josh Caddy, Rhys Stanley, Jimmy Bartel
FF: Cory Gregson, Tom Hawkins, Daniel Menzel
Foll: Mark Blicavs, Nakia Cockatoo, Darcy Lang
I/C: Zac Smith, Jordan Murdoch, Joel Selwood, Jake Kolodjashnij

Geelong injury list
Billie Smedts – shoulder (short-term)
Scott Selwood – ankle (mid-term)
Mitch clark – calf (mid-term)
Tom Read – knee (mid-term)
Sam Menegola – knee (mid-term)
Cam Delaney – knee (mid-term)

Long-term injury list
Long term injury list
Jackson Thurlow (knee)