PORT ADELAIDE’s selectors have a task ahead of them to decide on the line-up for Friday night’s Variety Showdown LI with several players pushing their claims to be included.

Given Port Adelaide is winless after two games, the selectors may opt to bring some fresh players into the team and there are a few who have done their chances no harm with strong performances in the recent SANFL trial games.

Sam Mayes and Trent Dumont again showed their individual quality playing through the midfield in the weekend’s hit-out against the Crows.

Mayes – who has been an AFL emergency for both games this season - had 26 disposals and was critical to the side comfortably winning the clearance numbers while Dumont had 23 touches and a goal in a tough day at Alberton.

Sam Hayes was the dominant ruckman on the ground and has done everything right as he awaits his AFL debut while defender Jake Pasini performed admirably against a strong Adelaide forward line and collected 16 disposals himself.

The trial game saw the return of the versatile Miles Bergman to the field following his off-season shoulder surgery. The 20-year-old gathered 16 disposals and showed he was ready to be in the mix for AFL selection.

Midfielder/forward Jed McEntee is another who has been close to AFL selection in recent weeks, having been an emergency for the loss to the Hawks. He has impressed across the pre-season with his improved running capacity and willingness to tackle and hunt the ball at ground level.

The selectors’ might be forced into a change if Trent McKenzie is unable to prove he has overcome an ankle sprain that saw him subbed out of the Round 2 loss to Hawthorn.

McKenzie was cleared of any serious injury and will be assessed before the important contest against the Crows.

Forwards Robbie Gray and Charlie Dixon remain outside chances of playing as they push to overcome respective knee and ankle injuries.

Port Adelaide will name its AFL side to face the Crows on Thursday evening.