PORT Adelaide won't rest over its Easter weekend SANFL bye, instead fixturing a trial game against amateur league goliath Goodwood Saints.
Allocated the bye in the opening round over the Easter weekend, the Magpies will instead play the Saints on Easter Thursday 2 April under lights at Thebarton Oval.
The Academy will play division two side Prince Alfred Old Collegians in the curtain-raiser, and will also play Tea Tree Gully at 9:15am before Port Adelaide's trial game against the Crows at Alberton on March 21.
SANFL coach Garry Hocking says the trial game gives an quality final shake down for his side before its SANFL League assault commences in Round 2 against South Adelaide at Noarlunga.
"Goodwood are one of the traditional powerhouses of the amateur league and this game will make sure we don't lose any genuine match experience so early in the season," Hocking told portadelaidefc.com.au.
"It's a great opportunity to play under lights against a quality footy club and give our fans a chance to watch the boys play one last time before our season properly starts.
"To have Prince Alfred and Tea Tree Gully also give our Academy boys two trial games in the lead-up to the season is also a great outcome for us."
Times for the April 2 trials will be confirmed next week.
Port Adelaide trial games
Game 1
Norwood v Port Adelaide
Coopers Stadium Norwood
Friday 6 March
League: 7:40pm, Academy: 4:55pm
Game 2
Port Adelaide v Adelaide Crows
Alberton Oval
Saturday 21 March
League: 11:30am, Academy: 9:15am
AFL: 3:40pm (AAMI Stadium)
Game 3
Port Adelaide v Goodwood Saints
Thebarton Oval
Thursday 2 April
Times TBC
