IN: Bonner, Ebert, Ladhams
OUT: Burton (injured), Butters (suspended), Sutcliffe (omitted)
PORT ADELAIDE has made three changes for its Round 17 match against Essendon, with Riley Bonner, Brad Ebert and Pete Ladhams returning to the side.
Bonner and Ebert were among the better performers in a match simulation session last week after being omitted from the team that played against North Melbourne, while Ladhams returns having served his three-match suspension for breaching the AFL’s COVID-19 protocols.
Going out of the side is injured defender Ryan Burton, suspended forward Zak Butters and Cam Sutcliffe, who has been omitted.
Coach Ken Hinkley confirmed he expected Burton’s quad injury to sideline him until the first week of the finals, when Butters will also be available after serving a two-match ban for a high bump in the win over the Kangaroos.
Defender Jarrod Lienert has been named among the emergencies, alongside forward Boyd Woodcock, first-year player Miles Bergman and Sutcliffe.
Port Adelaide takes on Essendon in what will be Charlie Dixon’s milestone 150th AFL match from 4:35pm ACST on Saturday.
