Port Adelaide kicks off the 2012 AFL Premiership Season with an Opening Round clash against St. Kilda at AAMI Stadium on April 1.
The Power is coming off one of its strongest pre-seasons in recent times, with losses to only the eventual NAB Cup finalist Adelaide and the West Coast Eagles.
A side of 25 has been named to face St Kilda with a number of debutants lining up in the Power 18, including Jarrad Redden in the ruck playing his first AFL game on the ground, with Chad Wingard, Brad Ebert and John McCarthy all running out in Port Adelaide jumpers for the first time.
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Port Adelaide’s opening round clash is critical for the side as they head into a challenging start to the season. The club’s first six matches - three of them away - will be played against top 8 sides from last year including Collingwood and Essendon.
It is therefore critical for the Power to get off to a strong start against St Kilda in front of its home crowd at AAMI Stadium. Senior Coach Matthew Primus is satisfied with the preparation and intensity of his side going into the game.
“There’d be probably 30 guys who’ve done everything in the pre-season and also have backed it up with good form over the NAB Cup, so there’s going to be some disappointment - some guys who’ll be stiff to miss out,” he said.
“It’s got a bit to do with versatility and who can play where and those sorts of things. But that’s great and it’ll be great to have that pressure in five weeks time, in 10 weeks time and in 15 weeks time.
“It’s going to be a frenetic game. I think Round 1 is always like that. Teams are up and about and it’s normally a very fast and physical game so I’d expect it would be along those lines.”
St Kilda is not without its share of pre-season change, with Scott Watters coaching the Saints for their first game, replacing Ross Lyon who left Moorabbin in unexpected circumstances at the end of 2011. Its NAB Cup was also interrupted after a regional game against Essendon was washed out.
“St Kilda have a different feel about them with new coaches and they’re starting new again too. We’re looking for a great contest and to really test ourselves out and step it up again,” Primus added.
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Port Adelaide has a good record against the Saints - leading the all-time games tally 12-10 - and has traditionally performed well against St Kilda at AAMI Stadium winning three of the last five played at the ground.
The game should be a tight, thrilling contest, with Port Adelaide fielding one of its stronger ‘paper’ sides. Despite missing key players Robbie Gray and Jackson Trengove, Port Adelaide’s forward stocks are at the same lofty levels as the club finished 2012 at Adelaide Oval with. Jay Schulz, Justin Westhoff , John Butcher and Daniel Stewart provide four tall options for the Power, and will be supported by the nippy legs of Wingard and vice-captain Travis Boak on the flank.
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The Power’s midfield will enjoy the injection of Brad Ebert and John McCarthy into the followers, whilst Dom Cassisi and Paul Stewart will play through the middle.
A hardened defensive unit led by Alipate Carlile, Troy Chaplin and Jacob Surjan will be supported by the flair of Danyle Pearce on the half-forward line.
The coaching panel will confirm its final 22 in the lead-up to the game, with PortAdelaideFC.com.au the only place to get the latest news for the final selection and quarter-by-quarter updates on the day.
Key points
Match: Round 1
Opponent: St Kilda Saints
Venue: AAMI Stadium
Jumper: Black (V.I.P. Front, Foodbank back)
Shorts: Black
Socks: Black
Opponent uniform: (Clash) White cross on red and black bars, white shorts, white, black and red hooped socks.
Captain: #1 Dom Cassisi
Local Live Coverage: Quarter by Quarter on PortAdelaideFC.com.au, Facebook, Twitter and Radio on ABC 891AM, FiveAA 1395AM and Triple M 104.7FM.
Port Adelaide side to face St Kilda
B: B.Jacobs, A.Carlile, J.Surjan
HB: D.Pearce, T.Chaplin, H.Hartlett
C: C.O'Shea, D.Cassisi, P.Stewart
HF: T.Boak, J.Butcher, J.Westhoff
F: C.Wingard, J.Schulz, D.Stewart
Foll: J.Redden, Bra.Ebert, J.McCarthy
Int: K.Cornes, M.Broadbent, M.Thomas, D.Rodan
Emg: T.Logan, D.Pfeiffer, A.Young
