Last year, Nathan Krakouer and Adam Cockshell shone during the internal trial, then went on to play in Round 1 of the season proper after continuing to stake their claims during the NAB Cup.
Power General Manager – Football Operations Peter Rohde said something similar could happen again on Saturday.
“At the moment we’ve got 32 or 34 blokes who we’d like to play the full NAB Cup game the week after (against Carlton at AAMI Stadium) so obviously six of those are going to miss out,” he said.
“The internal trial is a pretty important game for the guys in their second and third years who are still looking for their opportunity.
“Robbie Gray was another who certainly put his hand up in this game (last year) as well, and he went on to play well in the NAB Cup and played with the Power in the first half of the season.
“For the really young ones, it’s their one opportunity for the year to wear Power colours in a match and so they’ll also be keen to show what they can do.”
For the second consecutive season, the Power will again have a large number of players able to play at this time of the year.
Only three senior players - Peter Burgoyne (shoulder), Brendon Lade (quad) and Michael Wilson (achillies) - have been ruled out of the match.
“Peter is just waiting to get the all clear on his shoulder but he’s been doing full training. Ladey hurt his quad but only marginally so they’ll both play the week after or the week after that,” Rohde said.
“(New players) Nick Salter and Mitchell Farmer aren’t going to play, Paul Stewart is in a bit of doubt and so is Toby Thurstans who hasn’t done all the training so we’ll have to make a call on him but we’re thinking he’ll play a half.
“It looks like we’ll have 38 to play out of our 44 and last year we had 37, so it’s quite pleasing.”
While in previous seasons the game has been played between unevenly matched sides, this year’s two teams will be mixed around a bit with a blend of experienced players in both teams.
Rohde said one forward line could end up stronger than the other but it would be matched up on by a stronger defence.
The game starts at 5.40pm and goes until 7.30pm.
It is just one of the features of Vodafone Power Family Day which this year will be free entry to everyone after Vodafone decided to make it their shout.
For the first time in 2008, the internal trial will have a curtain-raiser to be played between the club’s Power Brokers and featuring some past Power players.
Entertainment begins as soon as the Alberton Oval gates open at 3.30pm. There will be football and netball coaching clinics, face painters, tattooists, and the Planet Teal Zone will be open. The Power Funk Squad and Cirkidz will perform, as will break dancers from Da Klinic and the very talented young rock band, Rockin’ Sox.
The night finishes with Mark Williams and Warren Tredrea on stage, along with guernsey presentations to the new players and a huge autograph session.
The full schedule for the Vodafone Power Family Day at Alberton Oval on Saturday 9 February is as follows…
3.30pm – Gates open
3.30pm – Football & netball coaching clinics
4pm-5pm – Vodafone Power Broker Cup begins (teams coached by Russell Ebert and Michael Wilson)
4.30pm – Entertainment, including face painters and tattooists, Power Funk Squad, Thunda Power and Cirkidz begins
5pm – Thunderbirds representatives on stage for interviews
5.30pm – Planet Teal Zone opens
5.40pm-7.30pm – Power internal trial game
7.40pm – Onstage entertainment, Da Klinic (breakdance group)
7.50pm – Onstage entertainment, Rockin’ Sox (band)
8.00pm – Mark Williams and Warren Tredrea on stage / Guernsey presentation to new players
8.30pm-9.00pm – Players’ signing session
