James Allan declared a definite starter for Norwood in grand final battle against Port Adelaide

NORWOOD coach Ben Warren has answered one of the major questions hovering over Sunday’s SANFL grand final, declaring James Allan a definite starter.

20.9.2014. SANFL: Grand final presentation at Adelaide Oval. Norwood coach Ben Warren. Photo Sam Wundke.

NORWOOD coach Ben Warren has answered one of the major questions hovering over Sunday’s SANFL grand final clash against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval by declaring James Allan a definite starter.

Warren said the midfielder had proven his fitness in two reserves finals and deserved the opportunity to play in the premiership decider.

Allan will again wear a guard to protect the wrist which required surgery after the round 15 win over North Adelaide to repair a break.

“James will play,’’ Warren said.

“He has had two weeks in the reserves and played pretty well. It has been more about fumbling with the brace on and the tackling.

“We know he well get the footy and he deserves the chance.

“He did a lot of running off the ball last week and was getting to the spots but they could not get it to him like they do in league.

“He has been doing a lot of running and will be fine.’’

While Warren put an end to one piece of speculation, there is still uncertainty over who Allan will replace.

Steven Baldasso, who missed the second semi-final win over the Magpies because of an ankle problem, has all but been ruled out after being named on a five-man interchange bench.

“We have not finalised who comes out,’’ Warren said at the player presentation on Saturday.

“We have got the 23 to prepare ready to play.’’

There is absolutely no doubt Simon Phillips will play, having eased through a fitness test after dislocating his shoulder in the second semi-final.

Warren, in his first season as coach, said this year’s grand final was a tougher challenge than the past two years when he was the go-to forward in the premiership side.

“Port is obviously a very talented team — they have been the best team this season and we know what they are capable of,’’ Warren said.

Magpies coach Garry Hocking flew to Melbourne after the player presentation to work with the Power as an assistant for the AFL preliminary final against Hawthorn.

Ben Newton, Jarman Impey and Kane Mitchell were also in Melbourne as emergencies and returned to Adelaide on Saturday night.

Hocking said there were no players in doubt for today, meaning Angus Bruggemann and Henry Slattery will be the two players cut from the 23-man squad named on Thursday.

Bruggemann played in all 18 minor round games as well as the two finals but hurt his shoulder in the preliminary final victory over South Adelaide while veteran Slattery has been sidelined with a shoulder issue.

“We will wait and see (which two players come out) when team lists go in,’’ Hocking said.

“We are fit and firing at the moment.

“We have got a tough challenge against Norwood, who is going for three (premierships) in a row and is experienced. We have got to be in the game early and start better.’’

COACHES’ VERDICT

HEATH YOUNIE (Adelaide)

I’ll tip Port because of its game style on the big ground and from what I have seen in the past two weeks. Their experience and run will probably win them the game.

ROY LAIRD (Central District)

Norwood has been really good after a slow start to the year. Its team understanding looks terrific, there is a lot of finals experience and a lot of blokes are in form. Port has a lot of quality though.

NICK STEVENS (Glenelg)

It is a tough one to tip but I’ll go for Port in a close one. If they can play their running game and open up Nowood they will get over the top. They showed in a quarter of footy their danger but if it is slow footy Norwood can beat them.

KEN McGREGOR (North Adelaide)

It is a tough one, maybe Port by a goal. Their AFL experience may get them over the line.

BRADLEY GOTCH (South Adelaide)

Port will have learnt from the second semi-final and if they put four quarters together it could be too much for Norwood. But Norwood has been there before and knows what to expect.

SEAMUS MALONEY (Sturt)

It will be tough, maybe Port can get over the top of them because of the depth and run which got them over South. Norwood is hard to shake though.

MARK MICKAN (West Adelaide)

It is going to be a close game and I’ll tip Norwood just. It has been consistent in the last part of the year and its style of play has been consolidated under Ben Warren. The challenge for Norwood will be to stop Port’s runners.

MICHAEL GODDEN (Woodville-West Torrens)

The game could go either way but I’ll say Norwood by a goal. Norwood has the finals experience but the environment at Port Adelaide — where the club is placed at the moment — is a factor.