WATCH highlights of SANFL Player of the Week David Rodan in action for Norwood above on PTV. Can't view the video? Watch on YouTube
IMPRESSIVE performances from players on the cusp at both Port Adelaide and Gold Coast will result in plenty of strong discussion at the selection table on Thursday.
PortAdelaideFC.com.au takes a look at who’s in the mix for Round 9.
Port Adelaide
Experienced midfielders David Rodan and Tom Logan starred for their respective SANFL clubs in strong wins at the weekend.
Rodan was at his creative best for the Redlegs racking up 28 touches and five clearances in a convincing win over the Double Blues while Logan was influential for Glenelg with 26 touches and four inside 50s.
The two bring very different attributes to the table, but could be considered for the trip to Metricon, especially if someone pulls up sore after training on Thursday morning.
[ Related: Round 9 Talking Points ]
The debate on whether to play two ruckman will be sure to heat up with the return to league ranks for Matt Lobbe following hip surgery.
The big ruckman played several games in the reserves before forcing his way into West Adelaide’s team, rucking alongside Ryan Willits and pushing Daniel Webb forward. With Brent Renouf’s career-high 42 hit-outs against North Melbourne, Lobbe’s return to AFL may have to wait for another week, especially after Jackson Trengove was cleared to play after accepting a reprimand.
Andrew Moore had a quiet game by his standards but has been very close to selection in previous weeks, so expect his name to be thrown around by the selection committee as they decide on the final 22.
Aaron Young will face a fitness test at training to determine if he’s recovered from an ankle injury which kept him out of Saturday’s win over the Roos.
[ Related: Round 8 Injury Update ]
The team will fly to the Gold Coast on Friday morning.
Gold Coast
The winless Suns may turn to an experienced hand in Josh Fraser as they look to register their first win for 2012.
Fraser booted five goals and was named in the best for the Suns reserves side as they thrashed Redland on the weekend.
The former Collingwood ruckman has played 218 games and would add an experienced head to a very young Suns outfit.
The Suns have a growing injury list and will be without key players David Swallow, Nathan Bock, Jarrod Harbrow and Charlie Dixon for an extended spell, testing the depth of their list.
But with the likes of Alek Magin and Maverick Weller starring for their reserves side, it’s clear there will be plenty for Guy McKenna and his assistants to discuss at match committee.
[ Related: Team effort will beat Suns skipper ]
Reserves coach Shaun Hart said they both pressed their claims for selection.
“Weller played his best game for the year without a doubt. He was bullocking and played the role he needed to play at all stages of the game,” Hart said.
“Magin was fantastic. He kicked three goals in seven minutes in the second quarter playing the small forward role.
With Magin and Fraser combining for nine goals between them, they may well be called upon to bolster Gold Coast’s attack, which managed just four goals against the Bulldogs.
Both teams will be announced at 5.55pm Thursday night and you can see them first here.
