SECOND faces sixth at Adelaide Oval on Saturday with the Power and Dockers doing battle for the 27th time in the AFL.

Illness and injury hit both sides last week, with some big decisions ahead at the selection table before the teams are announced on Thursday at 5.55pm CST.

portadelaidefc.com.au takes a look at who’s in the mix for selection in Round 8.

Port Adelaide
Hamish Hartlett and Alipate Carlile were both late withdrawals against the Giants due to illness but High Performance Manager Darren Burgess has confirmed they’ll both be available to face Fremantle at Adelaide Oval.

The question becomes – who do they replace?

The obvious names seem to be Ben Newton and Paul Stewart – simply because they were the late inclusions against the Giants. However, in reality, it isn’t that simple.

Stewart was white-hot in the first quarter against the Giants on his way to an impressive 22 disposals, 7 marks and 4 inside 50s while Newton was solid with 15 touches, 4 marks and 3 tackles in his AFL debut. It’s going to be a tough session at the selection table for the coaching staff.

To add to the equation, the recently elevated Kane Mitchell was brilliant again in the SANFL, finishing with 31 disposals, 7 marks, 6 clearances and 1.2 in the Magpies’ win over the Crows.

It seems doubtful, however, that Mitchell could force his way into a side that is 6-1, despite his fantastic form.

Port Adelaide’s most recent team (v GWS – Round 7)
FB: Jack Hombsch, Paul Stewart, Jarman Impey
HB: Tom Jonas, Jackson Trengove, Jasper Pittard
C: Jared Polec, Travis Boak, Kane Cornes
HF: Dom Cassisi, Justin Westhoff, Ben Newton
FF: Robbie Gray, Jay Schulz, Chad Wingard
Followers: Matthew Lobbe, Ollie Wines, Brad Ebert
Interchange: Matthew Broadbent, Angus Monfries, Matthew White, Aaron Young

Port Adelaide injury list
Hamish Hartlett – illness (available)
Alipate Carlile – illness (available)
Brendon Ah Chee - ankle (available)
Darcy Byrne-Jones – ankle (available)
Mason Shaw - wrist (2-3 weeks)*
Sam Russell - hamstring (3-4 weeks)
Jarrad Redden - knee (4-5 weeks)*
Lewis Stevenson - toe (4-5 weeks)*
Cameron Hitchcock – shin (6-8 weeks)
Sam Colquhoun - knee (season)*

Fremantle
With Luke McPharlin ruled out and Zac Dawson in serious doubt, key defender Alex Silvagni seems certain to get a call-up to add to the Dockers’ defensive stocks.

Stephen Hill faces a fitness test on his hamstring but could return to the Freo line-up for Saturday’s clash at Adelaide Oval, where he’d add to the visitors’ outside run.

Garrick Ibbotson impressed again in the WAFL with 23 disposals and could help cover the loss of McPharlin and possible loss of Dawson.

Fremantle most recent team (v West Coast – Round 7)
FB: Zac Dawson, Luke McPharlin, Lee Spurr
HB: Danyle Pearce, Michael Johnson, Clancee Pearce
C: Paul Duffield, Ryan Crowley, David Mundy
HF: Nat Fyfe, Matthew Pavlich, Hayden Ballantyne
FF: Chris Mayne, Zac Clarke, Lachie Neale
Ruck: Aaron Sandilands, Tendai Mzungu, Nick Suban
Interchange: Cameron Sutcliffe, Hayden Crozier, Michael Barlow, Matt de Boer

Fremantle injury list
Zac Dawson – ankle (test)
Sam Menegola – knee (test)
Michael Apeness – adductor (test)
Stephen Hill – hamstring (test)
Luke McPharlin – quad (1 week)
Alex Pearce – shin (1 week)
Tanner Smith – hamstring (4 weeks)
Max Duffy – shoulder (4-5 weeks)
Scott Gumbleton – hamstring (4-6 weeks)
Michael Walters – ankle (13-15 weeks)