ONE CHANGE has been made to the Port Adelaide side that defeated Carlton in Round 1, with Alipate Carlile set to play his first game for 2014 in the historic first Showdown at the Adelaide Oval.

It will be Port Adelaide’s first game at the ground since 2011, when it defeated Melbourne in the season-ending clash at the historic Adelaide ground.

The $535 million redevelopment of the Oval has converted it from one of the world’s most picturesque cricket venues into a world-class multi-purpose stadium that retains its many key heritage elements - such as views of St Peters Cathedral, the old scoreboard and the iconic Hill.

Carlile will return from quad soreness following a successful hitout for Port Adelaide’s SANFL side in its trial game victory over Central District last week.

In that game Carlile provided a strong and aggressive defensive game for the Magpies, which ran out comfortable 65-point winners.



“We were careful with our management of Bobby because of the importance he has for our team,” senior coach Ken Hinkley told portadelaidefc.com.au.

“He’s played some real solid footy for a couple of weeks and he played at an AFL standard against Central last Saturday.

“We were very keen to get him back this week, he’s one of our most experienced players and will be really important for us down back.”

The 26-year-old full back replaces Round 1 debutant Tom Clurey in the side, but Hinkley emphasised it was an omission out of the young Victorian’s control.

“Tommy is understanding of the fact that a player of Bobby’s quality is coming back into the side, he’s incredibly unlucky to lose his spot,” Hinkley said.

“I thought he acquitted himself really well on debut and no doubt he’ll be a quality player of many games for us into the future.”

Port Adelaide started slowly against Carlton in the opening round at Etihad Stadium two weeks ago, but Hinkley said there will be a number of important areas for the club to build on against the Crows on Saturday.

“It was our first official game last week and we’ve still got plenty of things to work and build on - overall we’d like to improve in all parts of our game,” he said.

Saturday’s Showdown is a sell out, with Essential Power and 11-game reserved seat tickets the only way to see the game.

Hinkley says despite the difficulty quelling the hype of the first game at the re-developed ground, his team will prepare as per usual. 

He expects a four-quarter effort, as is often the case in tough, hard-fought Showdowns, will be required for victory. 

“It’s really difficult to say it’s just a normal game, being the first game back at the Oval and a Showdown.”

“They combine to give slightly more significance to this, compared to a normal home-and-away game.

“It is an amazing stadium, we know how good it’s going to be for the whole of Adelaide.

“This game is about playing consistent football for the whole four quarters.

“It’ll be really close and it will take a full-game effort to take a win.”