Thurstans’ inclusion in the 22 – at the expense of suspended ruckman Dean Brogan – is the only change for the Power, after starting the season with a win against the Bombers.
Thurstans will be one of four Power players celebrating milestones on Sunday, with Brett Ebert also playing his 100th, while Shaun Burgoyne and Chad Cornes will notch up 150 and 200 respectively.
General Manager – Football Operations Peter Rohde said Thurstans would provide flexibility for the whole team.
“He gives us some back-up in the ruck and he’s also got the flexibility to play forward and back so that gives us some options about where we play a number of players,” Rohde said.
“He’s had to battle to get to 100 games. It took him four years to make his debut but in the last four or five years he’s been a regular in our team. He obviously kicked three goals in a grand final and he’s a well liked guy around the club.
The Power’s final 22 to face the Eagles, as named at 4.30pm on Friday, is as follows…
B: Michael Pettigrew, Alipate Carlile, Jacob Surjan
HB: Nathan Krakouer, Troy Chaplin, Dom Cassisi
C: Shaun Burgoyne, Chad Cornes, Steven Salopek
HF: Robert Gray, Justin Westhoff, Peter Burgoyne
F: Brett Ebert, Warren Tredrea, Daniel Motlop
R: Brendon Lade, Kane Cornes, Danyle Pearce
Interchange: Travis Boak, Josh Carr, David Rodan, Toby Thurstans
Emergencies: Matt Thomas, Tom Logan, Wade Thompson
IN: Thurstans
OUT: Brogan (suspension)
Milestones: Chad Cornes (200 games), Shaun Burgoyne (100 games), Brett Ebert (100 games), Toby Thurstans (100 games)
