ESAVA Ratugolea, Ivan Soldo and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher will each make their first AFL appearance in Port Adelaide colours this Sunday afternoon.
Set to take on West Coast at Adelaide Oval, the trio will be keen to make their mark on-field, after arriving at the club during the 2023 trade period.
Key back Ratugolea played 75 games for Geelong before coming across to Alberton, while former Essendon defender Zerk-Thatcher will line up for his 52nd AFL game this weekend.
Premiership ruckman Ivan Soldo has secured the coveted number one ruck spot for the first game of the season, with former Western Bulldogs ruck Jordon Sweet named in the emergencies.
Joining Sweet in the emergency group are speedy utility Jase Burgoyne and young defender Dylan Williams.
Five players have been named on the interchange, with one of those players to be announced as the tactical substitute, one hour before the first bounce.
Sunday’s game starts at 3:30pm ACDT at Adelaide Oval, with gates opening at 1:30pm.
The Think! Road Safety Footy Express will be running this season, meaning all regular Adelaide Metro weekend bus, train and tram services are free with your game day ticket, from first to last service on game day.
The Kids Zone (located between the south and east stands, with access from inside the ground) will feature face painting, handball targets and an activity station. Look out for a player postcard giveaway and Thunda will be there too!
There will also be a kick-to-kick post-match, so tell the kids to bring their footys!
Tickets are still available for the match.
Round 1 Team Selection
B: R Burton 3, E Ratugolea 27, B Zerk-Thatcher 25
HB: L Jones 34, A Aliir 21, D Houston 5
C: M Bergman 14, C Rozee 1-C, T Boak 10
HF: D Byrne-Jones, T Marshall 4, J Horne-Francis 18
F: J McEntee 41, C Dixon 22, W Rioli 15
Foll: I Soldo 13, O Wines 16, Z Butters 9
I/C: K Farrell 6, J Finlayson 11, W Drew 28, F Evans 31, J Mead 44
Emergencies: J Burgoyne 7, D Williams 23, J Sweet 24
