Port Adelaide captain Warren Tredrea will lead his side into Showdown 22 on Saturday, after the Power selection committee decided he was good to go on Thursday afternoon.

Tredrea was named to start at centre half-forward in a strong looking Power 22 that also includes veteran defender Darryl Wakelin and promising half forward Greg Bentley, who will play his first AFL game of 2007.

Tredrea last played at AFL level in Round 15 last year, his season being cut short to have major knee surgery. His recovery was long and intense – he missed all the pre-season games but returned to competitive football in emphatic fashion last Thursday. He kicked seven goals playing for the Port Adelaide Magpies.

Bentley played four AFL games last year from the club’s rookie list. Now on the senior list, Bentley had been a victim of the Power’s short injury list, spending the past fortnight in the SANFL.

Wakelin was recalled after being dropped last week. This week, he got the nod ahead of fellow tall defender Troy Chaplin. Also out of the side is youngsters Tom Logan and Adam Cockshell who is expected to miss a week with an ankle injury.

Power fans are being encouraged to be in their seats by 2.10pm – half an hour before the bounce – to be part of the club’s revolutionized match-day entertainment.

The new-look Power home games will include Thunda Bolt, a 5m high float, and the NAB Supporter of the Week. Both will be seen for the first time on Saturday. There’s more info on our Match Day page.

Some 8,000 Showdown tickets are still on sale via BASS.

The Power’s 22 to face the Crows on Saturday from 2.40pm is as follows...

B: Toby Thursans, Darryl Wakelin, Jacob Surjan
HB: Michael Wilson, Chad Cornes, Domenic Cassisi
C: Steven Salopek, Shaun Burgoyne, Nathan Lonie
HF: David Rodan, Warren Tredrea, Peter Burgoyne
F: Michael Pettigrew, Damon White, Brett Ebert
R: Dean Brogan, Kane Cornes, Danyle Pearce
Interchange: Greg Bentley, Nathan Krakouer, Brendon Lade, Josh Mahoney

Emergencies: Troy Chaplin, Tom Logan, Brad Symes

PS If anyone has any good captions for the accompanying photo of Tredrea and Brett Burton at the AFL’s 2007 Season Launch, we’d like to hear from you – email@portadelaidefc.com.au