Renmark, Sunday, March 3, 4pm
MISSING
Port Adelaide: Travis Boak, Brent Renouf, Angus Monfries, Brad Ebert, Robbie Gray, John Butcher, Kane Cornes, Nick Salter, Dom Cassisi, Cameron Hitchcock, Alipate Carlile, Jay Schulz, Brett Ebert, Jasper Pittard, Justin Westhoff all won't play.
Melbourne: Jack Trengove, Mitch Clark, James Frawley, Sam Blease, Rohan Bail, Max Gawn, Mitch Clisby, Jack Grimes, Nathan Jones, Chris Dawes, Tom McDonald, Jack Watts, Jordie McKenzie, Jeremy Howe, David Rodan, Mark Jamar, Colin Garland, Shannon Byrnes, Lynden Dunn, Jimmy Toumpas and Jack Viney won't play.
LAST WEEK
Port Adelaide: Port flew out of the blocks against St Kilda in stifling conditions in the first round of the NAB Cup, thrashing the tired visitors by 50 points. The same heat that softened the Saints up then took its toll on the Power in their second match, going down to the Crows by 16 points.
Melbourne: It wasn't the start to the season fans wanted for the Demons, suffering a narrow two-point loss to North Melbourne and a 15-point loss to Richmond. But their performances weren't as bad as the win/loss ratio appeared, with the Dees keeping the Tigers goalless in the second half of their game.
THEY SAY
Port Adelaide: "We'll be back (from Renmark) Sunday night and we'll be preparing really early because we go to Alice Springs the following week off a six-day break…It certainly doesn't sit well with me that we have to do all that, but that's part of the competition." – Ken Hinkley on Port's gruelling travel schedule.
Melbourne: "Renmark doesn't present any bigger challenges…it's going to be hot, but we've trained in that, we've been away together, it's a different environment – it's just another challenge and another experience for our group to learn from." Melbourne defender Leigh Brown on the Demons playing in Renmark on Sunday.
WE SAY
Port Adelaide: The Power will field an inexperienced side on Sunday in order to give coach Ken Hinkley a look at fringe players. The side looks much improved in the opening round of the NAB Cup and its kicking efficiency rocketed from second worst in 2012 to second best heading into round two. Port might be lacking its stars, but Hinkley will want to see intensity and effort from all who line up.
Melbourne: The Demons might have taken an equally inexperienced side to face the Power, but Mark Neeld will want a morale-booster. These sides will face off in round one as well, so no doubt Neeld will hope to identify a few weaknesses he can exploit when it truly counts. It's been a tumultuous pre-season for the Dees and while Jimmy Toumpas and Jack Viney have been rested, we'll get our first look at another exciting youngster Dom Barry.
