Port will welcome back senior midfielder Kane Cornes while losing young defender Tom Jonas through suspension.
A number of options are available to replace Jonas who has established himself as a core part of the Power’s starting 22 since bring promoted from the rookie list in the previous off-season.
Jack Hombsch has been in good form in the SANFL since his omission in Round 16, while Lewis Stevenson and Campbell Heath have been working to recapture their form in the local competition for a longer period of time.
How the senior coaches will look to fill the breach left by Jonas will be interesting, particularly with wet conditions forecast and former captain Dom Cassisi available to return from injury as well.
Cassisi has had a tough battle against the body this year, however his impact when on the field has been significant in a number of games this year – notably in the wins against the Gold Coast Suns and Sydney.
Matt Thomas also performed strongly in the SANFL following his omission last week and may offer some more grunt to the midfield on a slower surface.
Port Adelaide injury list
Dom Cassisi – hamstring (available)
Daniel Stewart – hip (assess)
Brett Ebert – adductor (assess)
Jarrad Redden – hip (season)
Enemy Lines: Brisbane
Port’s old foe has several players in the mix this week following confirmation Pearce Hanley will miss Sunday’s match after fracturing his hand.
Either Brent Moloney or Mitch Golby will replace him, while Simon Black is unlikely to face Port as his recovery from a groin injury continues.
Lions co-captain Jonathan Brown is preparing to return from a hip injury after missing his team’s win over Melbourne last weekend, but while he will be a definite for Brisbane’s next game against St Kilda, it is unknown whether he will be fully fit to face the Power.
Brisbane Lions injury list
Stefan Martin – hamstring (test)
Brent Moloney – calf (test)
Jonathan Brown – hip (test)
Mitch Golby – quad (test)
Simon Black – adductor (TBC)
Nick Hayes – foot (2-3 weeks)
Pearce Hanley – hand (2-4 weeks)
Stephen Wrigley – knee (season)
Claye Beams – knee (season)
