The Port Adelaide midfielders have battled hip flexor and hamstring complaints respectively and were overlooked at the selection table.
General Manager - Football, Peter Rohde, said that the selection committee decided in favour of resting the pair to ensure their recovery progressed successfully.
“Both of them did most of the training today. They put their hands up to play, both of them in the end probably felt they couldn’t say they’re confident to go 100%,” said Rohde.
[ Related: Round 16 Selection ]
“Cassisi trained today, but didn’t feel confident to go flat out and I suppose we’re a bit wary - we just want to give him a chance to get it right.
“We know that if he comes back now and plays and hurts it again it’ll have a big impact on the rest of the year for him.”
“We’ve erred on the side of caution with both him and D-Rod.”
Rodan returned to the Power side in round 14 against Geelong but withdrew from last Saturday’s Balfours Showdown with concerns over his fitness.
“D-Rod’ had hamstring tightness in the Geelong game and last week he was feeling as though there was something wrong still there and he still hasn’t been able to reproduce 100% intensity,” said Rohde.
“We’ll give him another week and we’ll be fine and we won’t risk re-injuring it.
Port Adelaide takes on Essendon at 1.40pm on Saturday at AAMI Stadium.
Click here to view the selected side, including three omissions, to take on the Bombers.
[ Related: Round 16 Selection ]
“Cassisi trained today, but didn’t feel confident to go flat out and I suppose we’re a bit wary - we just want to give him a chance to get it right.
“We know that if he comes back now and plays and hurts it again it’ll have a big impact on the rest of the year for him.”
“We’ve erred on the side of caution with both him and D-Rod.”
Rodan returned to the Power side in round 14 against Geelong but withdrew from last Saturday’s Balfours Showdown with concerns over his fitness.
“D-Rod’ had hamstring tightness in the Geelong game and last week he was feeling as though there was something wrong still there and he still hasn’t been able to reproduce 100% intensity,” said Rohde.
“We’ll give him another week and we’ll be fine and we won’t risk re-injuring it.
Port Adelaide takes on Essendon at 1.40pm on Saturday at AAMI Stadium.
Click here to view the selected side, including three omissions, to take on the Bombers.
