Up to six Port Adelaide players are in line to make their debut in the 2012 Opening Round, after being named in the Power’s 25-man squad for Sunday’s clash with St Kilda.
But forward/midfielder Robbie Gray will miss the start of the Power’s season because of hamstring tightness.
But forward/midfielder Robbie Gray will miss the start of the Power’s season because of hamstring tightness.
Potential debutants named in the squad - which will be trimmed to 22 on Friday - are West Coast recruit Brad Ebert, former Collingwood midfielder John McCarthy, young ruckman Jarrad Redden, number six draft pick Chad Wingard, ex Crow and Blue Darren Pfeiffer and the impressive forward prospect Aaron Young.
Another recruit - Hawthorn premiership ruckman Brent Renouf - hasn’t been named and is set to play in the SANFL as he builds match fitness after recovering from knee tendonitis.
[ Related: Full Squad ]
Also missing from the Power’s Opening Round squad is centre-half-back Jackson Trengove who -with Gray - were ironically the only Port Adelaide players to line-up in every game in 2011.
Port Adelaide coach Matthew Primus says the team is ready for its season opener after a positive pre-season and NAB Cup.
“We’re as confident as we could have been that we’ve prepared right,” Primus said.
“We’ve put a hell of a lot of work into the playing group and they’ve put a lot of work into each other. So we’re as prepared as we could hope to be this time of the year and we’re really looking forward to round one and also really looking forward to the year ahead.”
Primus said St Kilda would be a great early test for the Power.
“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.”
“Importantly, it’s a home game and we’d love to play some good footy in front of our fans at home,” he said.
Primus said with many fit players with impressive pre-seasons under their belts, picking the 25-man squad was a welcome challenge.
“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,” Primus said.
“So there’s going to be some disappointment, some guys who’ll be stiff to miss out.
“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.
