IN: J Sinn 8, J Finlayson 11, A Aliir 21, F Evans 31, D Visentini 38
OUT: C Rozee 1, J Burgoyne 7, L Jones 34 (injured), D Williams 23 (omitted), J Sweet 24 (illness)
Port Adelaide will welcome back key defender Aliir Aliir as one of five changes made for Friday night’s blockbuster against Geelong.
Aliir sustained a concussion in the Power’s Round 7 win over St Kilda and was officially cleared from protocols on Wednesday.
Josh Sinn and Dante Visentini both come in for their first games of 2024, with Visentini taking the place of ruck Jordon Sweet who is out with illness.
After a standout performance in the SANFL last week, Jeremy Finlayson has earned AFL selection, while small forward Francis Evans has also been named.
Jase Burgoyne was unable to get through training on Tuesday night and was subsequently ruled out with groin soreness.
Friday night marks Ryan Burton’s 100th club game as well as Zak Butters’ first match as captain, with skipper Connor Rozee sidelined with a hamstring issue.
The tactical substitute will be announced an hour before the first bounce from the interchange bench, which comprises Burton, Finlayson, Evans, Jed McEntee and Jackson Mead.
Defender Dylan Williams has been omitted but has been named an emergency, along with Tom Clurey and Will Lorenz.
Friday’s game against the Cats will take place at GMHBA Stadium from 6:40pm ACST / 7:10pm AEST.
Round 9 Team Selection
B: K Farrell 6, B Zerk-Thatcher 25, A Aliir 21
HB: M Bergman 14, E Ratugolea 27, D Houston 5
C: J Sinn, O Wines 16, W Drew 28
HF: D Byrne-Jones 33, T Marshall 4, M Georgiades 19
F: T Boak 10, C Dixon 22, W Rioli 15
Foll: D Visentini 38, J Horne-Francis 18, Z Butters 9-C
I/C: R Burton 3, J Finlayson 11, F Evans 31, J McEntee 41, J Mead 44
Emergencies: T Clurey 17, D Williams 23, W Lorenz 36
