AFTER a disappointing loss to West Adelaide in the qualifying final last week, the Magpies face Central District in a knockout semi final on Sunday.
portadelaidefc.com.au takes a look at who’s in the mix to play in the SANFL First Semi Final this weekend.
Teams will be announced on portadelaidefc.com.au at 5.50pm on Thursday night.
Port Adelaide
With Mason Shaw sidelined for the rest of the season with a groin injury, the return of key forward John Butcher after a stint in the AFL side cannot come at a better time.
The frontman favourite has safely qualified for the SANFL finals series and will be a key addition for the Magpies’ forward line.
PTV: Crowd gets behind Butcher
Midfielder/forward Karl Amon will also be available to play for the Magpies after spending two weeks at the top level with the Power.
First-year ruckman Billy Frampton missed Port Adelaide’s 29-point loss to the Bloods last week with a knee complaint, but in the mix to return against Central.
Johann Wagner is another possible injury return, should he overcome a niggling shin issue in time for Sunday’s clash.
Anthony Biemans returned successfully from a knee injury in the reserves last week and is also under consideration for the League side after booting four goals in the Academy’s qualifying final win over the Roosters.
Injury update: SANFL finals week 1
Port Adelaide SANFL most recent team
FB: Tom Logan, Tom Clurey, Dougal Howard
HB: Paul Stewart, Sid Masters, Darcy Byrne-Jones
C: Kane Mitchell, Steven Summerton, Tom Gray
HF: Sam Colquhoun, Luke Reynolds, Sam Russell
FF: Louis Sharrad, Mitch Harvey, Andrew Moore
Foll: Jarrad Redden, Jesse Palmer, Ben Sawford
Interchange from: Robbie Young, Sean Davidson, Mason Shaw
Port Adelaide SANFL injury list
Billy Frampton - knee (assess)
Johann Wagner - shin (assess)
Mason Shaw - groin (season)
Logan Austin - shoulders (season)
Luke Wilson - elbow (season)
Central District
The Bulldogs could add another first-choice player to the side which had a convincing 44-point win over reigning premiers Norwood in the qualifying final.
Key forward Bryce Retzlaff is a chance to return this week as he continues to recover from a hamstring strain. He’ll need to prove his fitness during training this week to hit the field against the Magpies.
The 195cm tall man is a handy target inside50 and would be a valuable, mature addition to the Dogs’ attacking line in the finals.
Rejected: Sam Gray won't play SANFL finals
Despite being listed for a fitness test, it’d be a risk to play utility Chris Jansen this weekend given the former Belconnen player strained his MCL in both knees in SANFL Round 15, and was ruled out for a minimum of six weeks.
However if named, Jansen would provide some class in the midfield, having averaged 28 disposals and six marks per game en route to winning the competition’s Star Search Award for 2015.
Central District’s most recent team
FB: Habel, Stephenson, Hanna
HB: Prior, Collier, Barmby
C: Thomas, Presbury, J. Schiller
HF: Stevens, Goodrem, Waldhuter
FF: Edmead, Kemp, Jenner
Foll: Mabon, Hoskin, T. Schiller
Interchange: Haydon, Hill, Milne, Olsson, Potter
Central District injury list
Matthew Claughton – illness (season)
Chris Jansen – knee (test)
Tim Meulendyks – knee (season)
Bryce Retzlaff – hamstring (test)
SANFL Preview: First semi final
