A look at Port Adelaide’s potential inclusions for its battle against Brisbane.
Willie Rioli will need to prove his fitness to be considered for Port Adelaide’s match up against Brisbane. Image: AFL Photos.
PORT ADELAIDE could welcome back Willie Rioli from injury for Saturday’s game against Brisbane.
Rioli has missed the last two games with a calf injury suffered early in the Round 11 win over North Melbourne but has resumed full training and is itching to return at Adelaide Oval against the Lions.
He will need to prove he has overcome the injury at training on Thursday to be included in the line-up.
While Charlie Dixon’s immediate playing future will be the subject of a tribunal hearing on Wednesday night challenging his three-game ban for rough conduct, fellow tall forward Jeremy Finlayson was among the side’s best in the SANFL win over West Adelaide on Saturday and is another in the frame for AFL selection.
Finlayson was a bit wayward in front of goal with 1.3, but he helped keep the game on Port’s terms while playing in the midfield and he ended with 25 disposals, six clearances and four tackles to go with his seven marks.
Jordon Sweet was huge in ruck against the Bloods. He had a game-high 43 hit-outs to go with 15 disposals, six marks and six clearances. The tallest player on Port Adelaide’s list also booted a goal late in the first quarter, bending home a left footed set shot from a tight angle.
Jordon Sweet dominated in the SANFL, recording a mammoth 43 hit outs. Image: Brandon Hancock.
While Dixon and Finlayson caught a lot of the attention, Tom Scully was the side’s top scorer with four goals from his seven disposals. He was a constant threat inside 50, and also spent time in the ruck, finishing with 12 hit-outs.
Defender Lachie Jones played an important role on the ball. His physicality and speed was noticeable as he racked up 18 disposals and five tackles. Given the number of small forward options the Lions have, he would provide another defensive option for Ken Hinkley’s side.
Ruck/forward Dante Visentini and winger Will Lorenz travelled with the AFL side to Sydney as the emergencies and did not feature at all on the weekend.
Port Adelaide will name its side to face Brisbane on Thursday evening at 5:50pm ACST.
The club will wear a 2004-inspired retro guernsey in Saturday’s AFL game, which gets underway at 1:15pm ACST.