PORT ADELAIDE is hoping to kick start its SANFL season as it takes on Sturt today at Alberton Oval.
The Magpies sit in ninth on the SANFL ladder with no wins after three games, while their opponents sit fourth with two wins and a loss.
The Double Blues had the number over the Magpies in 2021, winning both clashes at Alberton and Unley respectively and now have won the last three meetings between the sides.
However, coach Matthew Lokan isn’t looking to the past.
“There’s been a change of personnel since last year, so we don’t take too much notice of those results,” he said.
He might take some comfort from knowing Port Adelaide has won three of its last four against the Double Blues at Alberton, the setting for Sunday’s game.
The Magpies will also welcome back some experience into the line-up after a youthful and inexperienced outfit pushed Norwood all the way before falling short last week.
“We’ll get back some experience in Xavier Duursma, Marty Frederick, Dante Visentini and Jackson Mead, which is good,” Lokan said.
“Trent Burgoyne and Tom Corcoran will also come into the side along with Sam Mayes, Jed McEntee and Lachie Jones.”
Duursma returns after a fortnight on the sidelines with neck and shoulder bruising, Frederick and Visentini missed one game due to health and safety protocols and Mead gained valuable experience playing the first five games of the season in the AFL side.
The Magpies had only eight AFL-listed players in the squad against Norwood last week, with only three having made their debut at the senior level – Dylan Williams, Sam Skinner and Kane Farrell.
Farrell, who performed admirably against the Redlegs on Good Friday, played in the AFL side’s win over West Coast on Saturday night, while Mackenzie Nield, Ollie Cheesman, Riley Westbrook, Dylan Aldridge and Miller Carter were all omitted.
Skipper Cam Sutcliffe will spend a second week on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
Visentini’s inclusion in particular will be welcome after the side used forward/defender Luke Surman and forward Ollie Lord in the ruck last week in his absence and with Sam Hayes in the AFL side.
Surman and Lord competed well and won the hit-outs against the Redlegs.
The first bounce on Sunday is at 2.05pm at Alberton Oval. A special Anzac Round ceremony will be held from 1:45pm.
