Norwood names James Allan and Steven Baldasso in extended squad to face Port Adelaide in grand final
TEAMS: NORWOOD is adamant there is no risk taking midfielder James Allan into the grand final clash against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
NORWOOD is adamant there is no risk taking midfielder James Allan into the grand final clash against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
Allan, absent from league action since breaking his wrist against North Adelaide in round 15, was yesterday promoted to a 23-man squad along with Steven Baldasso.
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE BOTH GRAND FINAL TEAMS
Baldasso appeared in 16 league matches in the minor round, only to miss the qualifying final win over Sturt because of an ankle problem. He proved his fitness in the reserves preliminary final on Sunday.
Allan has played in the reserves the past two weeks but appeared to be labouring in the final quarter last weekend.
However, the on-baller satisfied the Redlegs selectors with his efforts at training on Wednesday and football manager Mark Ross declared Allan ready to go.
“There is no risk playing James,’’ Ross said.
“He trained very well and has certainly made sure he has done everything possible to put his name in front of the coach (Ben Warren).
“He is 100 per cent fit and there was more a danger two weeks ago than now. He tackled well at training and handballed without discomfort.’’
The Redlegs will finalise their 21 for the premiership decider after training tonight although the team will not be revealed until 20 minutes before the match when team sheets are exchanged.
The Magpies regained John Butcher, who missed the second semi-final and preliminary final because of a back issue.
He was added to the 21 who overcame South Adelaide last weekend along with veteran Henry Slattery.
A strong chance to retire after the grand final, Slattery was sidelined last weekend due to a shoulder complaint.
Ben Newton, Jarman Impey and Kane Mitchell, the emergencies for the Power for Saturday’s AFL preliminary final battle against Hawthorn at the MCG, have been named on a five-man interchange bench.
They are expected to travel to Melbourne as a precaution against a Power injury.
Last weekend Impey, Mitchell and Aaron Young were with the Power in Perth before returning to Adelaide for the game against the Panthers.
GRAND FINAL TEAMS
NORWOOD vs PORT ADELAIDE
ADELAIDE OVAL, SUNDAY, 2.40pm
REDLEGS
Backs: Forster, McGuinness, Bode
Half-backs: Kirwan, Chippendale, Roocke
Centre: Jefferies, Panos, Wilson
Half-forwards: Phillips, Davis, Smart
Forwards: Donohue, Newton, Dawe
Ruck: Baulderstone, Webber, Bartlett
Interchange (from): Murphy, Hughes, Allan, Persinos, Baldasso
In: Allan, Baldasso
MAGPIES
Backs: Krakouer, Clurey, Russell
Half-backs: Heath, Stevenson, Amon
Centre: Hitchcock, Summerton, Stewart
Half-forwards: Byrne-Jones, Young, Flynn
Forwards: Ah Chee, Harvey, J. Butcher
Ruck: Shaw, S. Gray, Logan
Interchange (from): Newton, Impey, Mitchell, Bruggemann, Slattery
In: Butcher, Slattery