White has played two matches in 2008, including his 50th AFL game in Round 14 against the Bulldogs in Darwin. The versatile key position player is likely to play both forward and back against the Blues.
Peter Burgoyne and Troy Chaplin have also recovered from injury and will join White in the side.
Here’s Port Adelaide’s General Manager – Football Operations Peter Rohde’s inside word on this week’s changes.
Three changes this week. Peter Burgoyne has had two games back in the SANFL since recovering from a hamstring injury and we’re keen to get him back playing in the side.
Chappy just missed the one week with his ankle and his form was obviously very good before the injury, so he comes straight back in. Damon White’s form had been pretty reasonable before pulling his hamstring, and we want to have a bit more of a look at him between now and the end of the season.
Lonie, Bentley and Thurstans have all been omitted. Bentley was good last week so he’s a bit stiff to be dropped. Lonie’s form had been ok but has dropped off slightly in the last week or two and the young blokes we brought in last week – Farmer and Salter – deserve another chance.
It’s certainly not the end for these blokes, we’re just trying to have a look at as many players as we can between now and the end of the season. We’ll make the decisions once the season is over.
Travis Boak didn’t train on Wednesday but he’s fine today and we’re expecting he’ll be fine for Saturday.
The Power’s final team to face the Blues, as named at 4.30pm on Thursday, is as follows…
B: Michael Pettigrew, Alipate Carlile, Nick Lower
HB: Jacob Surjan, Troy Chaplin, Peter Burgoyne
C: Domenic Cassisi, Kane Cornes, Travis Boak
HF: Tom Logan, Damon White, Danyle Pearce
F: Justin Westhoff, Daniel Motlop, Brett Ebert
Foll: Dean Brogan, Shaun Burgoyne, David Rodan
Interchange: Fabian Deluca, Mitch Farmer, Nick Salter, Paul Stewart
Emergencies: Matthew Westhoff, Ryan Williams, Brendon Lade
IN: P. Burgoyne, Chaplin, White
OUT: Bentley, Lonie, Thurstans (omitted)
