IN: M Georgiades 9, J Horne-Francis 18
OUT: O Wines 16 (injured), F Evans 31 (omitted)
Mitch Georgiades will make his long-awaited return to AFL football this Friday night, 349 days after rupturing his ACL.
It’s been a big year of rehabilitation for the young forward, who re-committed to Port Adelaide for a further four years last September.
Proud senior coach Ken Hinkley delivered the selection news to Georgiades during a team meeting this week, with the 22-year-old also set to mark his 50th game as an AFL player.
Defender Dan Houston will celebrate a milestone of his own, reaching his 150th AFL game almost eight years after arriving at Alberton in the rookie draft.
The 26-year-old has lived a rapid rise from rookie to All-Australian, with his long kick and athleticism helping to cement his place in the side since his debut in 2017.
In a fitting twist, Houston’s 150th will be played against Essendon, with his match-winner after the siren against the Bombers in 2023 one of the individual highlights of his career thus far.
Explosive midfielder Jason Horne-Francis comes into the side having recovered from a hamstring strain, while Ollie Wines is unavailable for selection after sustaining a similar injury.
Georgiades has been named on the interchange alongside Kane Farrell, Jase Burgoyne, Jed McEntee and Jackson Mead, with one of these five players to be announced as the tactical substitute an hour before the first bounce.
Francis Evans has been omitted from the 23 but joins Josh Sinn and Jordon Sweet in the emergencies.
Friday’s Gather Round game against Essendon will take place at Adelaide Oval from 7:40pm ACDT, with gates open from 5:45pm.
Round 4 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, W Drew 28, T Boak 10
HF: D Byrne-Jones 33, T Marshall 4, C Rozee 1-C
F: J Finlayson 11, C Dixon 22, W Rioli 15
Foll: I Soldo 13, J Horne-Francis 18, Z Butters 9
I/C: K Farrell 6, J Burgoyne 7, M Georgiades 19, J McEntee 41, J Mead 44
Emergencies: J Sinn 8, J Sweet 24, F Evans 31
