The 21-year-old - who was promoted to the club’s five-man leadership group for 2012 - will head a team dominated by young players, as it takes to Rushton Park in Mandurah W.A. from 6.40pm (SA time). The Club website will have a live blog and radio stream.
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The classy South Australian has played 31 AFL games since his debut in 2009, including 16 appearances last season when he largely overcame injuries that limited his opportunities previously.
Announcing Hartlett’s appointment to the club’s leadership group in February, coach Matthew Primus acknowledged the respect he had earned from his team-mates through his approach to pre-season.
“He now feels more comfortable about his footy and has the confidence to really drive his team-mates very hard at training so that they get the best out of themselves,” Primus said.
Fellow leadership group member Jackson Trengove had been named in the Power’s 29-man squad for the clash with the Eagles, but will not make the trip west. He’ll remain in Adelaide with captain Dom Cassisi, vice-captain Travis Boak and co-leader Jay Schulz, along with the experienced Danyle Pearce, David Rodan and Brad Ebert.
They are being primed for hit-outs in the final two weeks of the NAB Cup competition ahead of the premiership season opener, giving young players and opportunity to experience an away game and valuable match time.
“There’s still some quality players going to Perth,” Trengove told FIVEaa.
“We’ve got a lot of young kids that are going to fly over and get the opportunity to play for us this weekend which is good for the footy club.
“It’s a long start to the season. We’ve got four games in the NAB cup and you’ve got to manage the bodies of players because then we’ve got another 22 rounds that we’ve got to perform in at our best.”
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WA recruits Ben Newton and Nathan Blee will play for Port Adelaide for the first time on Saturday, while fellow Sandgroper Brendon Ah Chee will make just his second appearance after debuting in last weekend’s opening NAB Cup encounter.
“We’ve given some opportunities to some young players,” Trengove said.
“Nathan Blee and Brendon Ah Chee and these people are coming in. They’ll get a run over there and that will be good experience for them as well.”
Newton’s debut has been more than a year in the making, with the 19-year-old struck by ankle and hip injuries in 2011.
“He’s had a lot of trouble with injury, but the kid can play,” Trengove said.
“He’s got a lot of ability. He works really hard. He just needs a little bit of luck to go his way and he’ll be able to show the football world what he can do.”
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Trengove also praised fellow defender Blee who was taken by the Power with pick 51 in last year’s AFL National Draft.
“He kicks the ball really well and is just competitive. We’ve got a lot of young kids who are pretty competitive and it’s exciting to take these type of kids over to Perth and give them the opportunity to play at the big level.”
Port Adelaide flies out of Adelaide on Friday afternoon and will travel directly to Mandurah where the team will overnight before meeting West Coast.
