Ebert and Phillips Named

See the squad of 25 at the bottom of the page



[ Related: Watch Ebert and Phillips take screamers here ]

Ebert and Phillips are named in a 25-man squad for the clash at Perth’s Patersons Stadium, along with Cam O’Shea and Danyle Pearce.

Hitchcock’s strained hamstring will force at least one change to the Port Adelaide line-up beaten by Richmond last week, but at least one other change is likely.

“We’ve certainly got to cover Hitchcock so there’ll be at least one come in when we finalise the team tomorrow,” Port Adelaide general manager - football Peter Rohde told PortAdelaideFC.com.au.

“I’d expect there’ll be two or three changes.”

Ebert is yet to play with the Power in 2012 and a call-up would mark the first game he has played with his cousin Brad, who was traded to Alberton from West Coast at the end of last season.

He was named in the 25 last week, but released to play with Port Adelaide’s SANFL side which was defeated by West Adelaide.

“Brett’s form over the last couple of weeks with the Magpies has been good,” Rohde sad.

“Maybe not as good last week, but given the way the team played he probably did as much as he could. And the week before he was very good, so he certainly put his hand up.”

Phillips is another who was in the mix last week, before playing with Norwood where he has been in good touch throughout the year.

“Simon’s form last week wasn’t as good, but he’d been coming off some pretty fair form before that over a period and given Hitchcock’s going out he’s the right sort of player,” Rohde said.

[ Related: Coach speculation a 'joke' ]

O’Shea and Pearce are in line for possible recalls, with both sent back to the SANFL to regain form.

20-year-old O’Shea has missed the Power’s last three games and has been consistent with South Adelaide.

“Cam’s been very solid,” Rohde said of his stint in the SANFL.

“He’s been playing all over the place. He’s been playing forward, back and wing. Cam gives 100% effort. He’s been very solid.”

Pearce has missed only the one week, but played an influential role for Sturt against North Adelaide last weekend.

“Pearcey did very well,” Rohde said.

“He certainly worked on the defensive side of the game that we wanted him to and got Sturt going in the last quarter and certainly did what we’d have hoped.”

[ Related: Match Preview ]

Schulz trained with the squad today, but continues to feel unwell after suffering a deep cut to his right eye in the Round 5 clash with Adelaide.

“He’s improved but he’s still feeling a bit sick,” Rohde said.

“The specialist has cleared his eye, but he’s got to be able to exercise more regularly and be able to push himself to another level before he can play.”

Ruckman Brent Renouf has the challenge of talking on Fremantle giant Aaron Sandilands.

“We thought his second half last week was probably the best he’s played for us,” Rohde said of the Hawthorn recruit.

Jarrad Redden will play his second game back with the Eagles, while Matthew Lobbe continues his return from hip surgery in the SANFL.

Competitiveness has been the word of the week at Alberton, with Rohde declaring the squad had worked hard after the disappointing loss to Richmond.

“We thought for the first time for the season probably our effort and competitiveness was down over the game,” he said.

“All the way through the NAB cup and the first five games of the year, we’ve had our ups and downs but generally across the games we’ve felt as though we’ve matched our opposition in effort and intensity.

“And that was the disappointing thing about last week. In the third quarter, we obviously reared up but it was too little too late.”

[ Related: Consistency the key - Boak ]

It will be critical to Port Adelaide’s chances against Fremantle which sits 7th on the AFL ladder after winning four of its six games under new coach Ross Lyon.

“They’ve been a really good team over the last few years,” Rohde said.

“They’re going through a bit of a change in the way they play with Ross taking over. They’ve got a very distinctive style of play. We know how they’re going to try to play. Pavlich is obviously a worry, they’ve got a very even group of midfielders who get a lot of the ball. Their backline is competent and there are no obvious weaknesses in their side.”

Port Adelaide defeated Fremantle in their NAB Cup clash at Encounter Bay, but will need consistent effort at Patersons Stadium.

“We’re very wary about matching them in contested footy because we know that Ross will send lots of players around the clearances,” Rohde said.

“We played them down at Victor Harbour not that long ago and it was a very tough and competitive game and we’d be expecting more of the same.”

The Power fly out on Friday, with Port Adelaide and Fremantle clashing from 4.10pm (SA Time) on Sunday.