As the Port Adelaide Football Club heads towards the premiership season, this week’s match against Sydney will be an opportunity to settle on what will be a likely 22 for the round one match against Fremantle. Unfortunately for the squad’s new and younger members, that means they’ll be making way for a number of the more senior players who have been rested at different stages throughout the pre-season campaign.

All opportunity is not lost though, with most of the club’s first year players now able to run out for their SANFL sides for the first time. The players that have been here a little longer and are trying to gain a regular spot on the list will also front up for their local clubs. Darren Trevena the Power’s development coach says “It’s a new learning process with the guys having to fit into their local clubs. They’ll have to adapt to their SANFL club’s game plans and play by their team rules.”

The Power team which comfortably defeated St Kilda contained just four players older than 27 years. The night saw a number of the club’s younger players show their wares and give glimpses of what we might see in the future.

Heading back to the SANFL those same players will still be looking to impress the match committee and develop their footy in a way that will see them gain selection later in the year. According to Trevena, Adam Thomson was one of the young players to get close to selection in the experienced squad. “Adam was unlucky to miss out (against Sydney), so he should be in top form for Sturt,” Trevena said.

As well as Thomson, Travis Boak, Justin Westhoff, Jonathan Giles, Robbie Gray and Nick Lower have been omitted from last week’s team and having had a taste of playing against AFL opposition they’ll be keen for a swift return.

Listed below is where you’ll be able to watch some of the Power’s exciting youngsters play this weekend.

Gavin Grose
North Adelaide v Port Adelaide
17 March, 7.30pm @ Coopers Stadium

Alipate Carlile and Robbie Gray
West Adelaide v South Adelaide
17 March 2pm @ Alan Hickinbotham Oval

Adam Thomson, Alex Lee, Peter Hardy, Fabian Deluca, Nathan Batsanis and Paul Stewart
Eagles v Sturt
17 March, 2pm @ Thebarton Oval

Justin Westhoff, Jon Giles, Ryan Williams, Travis Boak
Centrals v Glenelg
17 March, 2pm @ Hamra Oval