Sturt forward Jake Sutcliffe has passed a fitness test for the SANFL battle against Eagles

STURT has regained forward Jake Sutcliffe for the SANFL preliminary final clash against Woodville-West Torrens at Adelaide Oval on Sunday after proving he had recovered from a knee injury.

Sturt's Jake Sutcliffe battles Port Adelaide’s Matthew Broadbent. Picture: TOM HUNTLEY

Sturt coach Marty Mattner has been posed selection questions for the preliminary final battle against Woodville-West Torrens at Adelaide Oval on Sunday after Jake Sutcliffe successfully negotiated a fitness test on his knee on Friday night.

Sutcliffe was forced out of the first semi-final victory over Central District last weekend after failing to recover from a knee injury, a legacy of the qualifying final loss to Port Adelaide.

But he survived a searching test of his knee, including teammates belting into him, at Unley Oval to give Mattner another option for the Double Blues’ attack.

He is expected to come back into the line-up, forcing Mattner to decide whose spot he takes from a winning line-up. Aidan Riley replaced him in the 21 against the Bulldogs, but the classy midfielder’s spot is safe.

“Jake’s knee is okay so we have five on the bench to choose from,” Double Blues football manager David Oatey said.

“He was fine this morning (Saturday) and is as good as gold.

“The reserves are still going and that is much better than last year when they dropped out early. It gives you plenty of numbers at training and a full list to select from.”

Mattner said Riley would be better for the “run” after returning from injury against the Bulldogs and his presence enabled teammates such as Sam Colquhoun and Josh Hone to revert to their customery roles.

Ruckman Jack Osborn was also below “100 per cent” last weekend after being hit by the flu.

The Double Blues have lost both contests to the Eagles this season, although Mattner said his side had chances to win both games.

“Both games we had opportunities to win and did not take them,” Mattner said. “We know we are good enough to compete with them.”

Mattner was extremely satisfied with the victory over the inform Bulldogs, describing the effort of his players as really good.