portadelaidefc.com.au takes a look at who’s in the mix for selection for the Power and Bombers.
Port Adelaide
The Power will be forced to make at least two changes for Saturday night’s clash, with Alipate Carlile (hamstring) and Jackson Trengove (ankle) ruled out of the game.
The loss of the two key defenders is a major blow to the Power’s back six, but the club will look to cover them with in-form SANFL players.
Tom Clurey, who debuted in Round 1 this year, and Cam O’Shea will both fancy their chances of a call-up against the Bombers, and should they get it, will desperate to keep their spot.
At the other end of the ground, Mason Shaw continues to impress in the SANFL with 12 goals in his past three games, but an AFL debut still seems a way off yet.
Dom Cassisi could return from knee soreness after failing to prove his fitness for the Showdown.
Aaron Young was a standout for the Magpies with 36 disposals and 9 clearances in the SANFL, putting pressure on the coaches to return him to the side just one week after he was omitted.
Port Adelaide most recent team (Round 15 v Adelaide)
B Jack Hombsch, Alipate Carlile, Tom Jonas
HB Matthew Broadbent, Jackson Trengove, Jarman Impey
C Angus Monfries, Travis Boak, Kane Cornes
HF Hamish Hartlett, Justin Westhoff, Matt White
F Robbie Gray, Jay Schulz, Chad Wingard
FOL Matthew Lobbe, Ollie Wines, Brad Ebert
I/C Jared Polec, Jasper Pittard, Sam Gray
SUB Kane Mitchell
Port Adelaide injury list
Alipate Carlile – hamstring soreness (2-3 weeks)
Jackson Trengove – ankle (TBC)
Dom Cassisi – knee soreness (assess)
Paul Stewart – knee (assess)
Cameron Hitchcock – shin (assess)
Andrew Moore - collarbone (assess)
Campbell Heath – knee (8-10 weeks)
Sam Colquhoun – knee (season)*
Jarrad Redden – knee (season)*
Brent Renouf – knee (season)
*denotes long term injury
Essendon
Jason Winderlich is available after missing last week because of suspension. He is almost a certain inclusion in the Bombers side to travel to Adelaide.
Defender Mark Baguley is expected to return after training strongly on Wednesday, according to essendonfc.com.au.
Utility Tayte Pears continues his comeback from a calf injury and could be in the mix to return to the side.
Shaun Edwards, who continued his strong run of form in the VFL, and Tom Bellchambers are also in line for selection according to AFL.com.au.
Captain Jobe Watson is still out with a quad tendon injury.
Essendon most recent team (Round 15 v Geelong)
B Courtenay Dempsey, Michael Hurley, Dustin Fletcher
HB Michael Hibberd, Cale Hooker, David Myers
C Dyson Heppell, Brendon Goddard, David Zaharakis
HF Paul Chapman, Joe Daniher, Jake Melksham
F Travis Colyer, Patrick Ambrose, Jake Carlisle
FOL Patrick Ryder, Heath Hocking, Brent Stanton
I/C Jackson Merrett, Kyle Hardingham, Ben Howlett
SUB Zach Merrett
Essendon injury list
Nick Kommer – knee (season)
Alex Browne – knee (season)
Marty Gleeson – groin (2-3 weeks)
Will Hams – hip (indefinite)
Mark Baguley – back (test)
Job Watson – quad tendon (6-8 weeks)
