Sturt’s Hansen in push to be fit for challenge against Port on Sunday

OPTIMISM is growing at Sturt the club could take an unchanged team into the grand final after the rapid improvement in the health of small forward Ben Hansen.

Ben Hansen in action earlier this season. He is still considered a chance for Sunday’s grand final.

OPTIMISM is growing at Sturt the club could take an unchanged team into the grand final after the rapid improvement in the health of small forward Ben Hansen.

The Double Blues were re-signed to losing Hansen for the challenge against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Sunday after he hurt his back in the preliminary final victory over Woodville-West Torrens.

But the club is now confident he will negotiate a fitness test and training at Unley tonight to confirm his spot in the 21.

“Ben was very tender on Monday and we were worried, he was struggling to touch his toes,” Double Blues football manager David Oatey said. “But he was a lot freer on Wednesday night and could touch his toes no problem.

“He will warm up on Friday night, do a proper fitness test and complete all the training. If he gets through that he will play, and we expect him to play. The improvement has been significant.”

Should Hansen be ruled out, Mark Evans is likely to come into the side after being named in the 23-man squad.

Evans was a member of last year’s triumphant grand final side, but was overlooked for the preliminary final on Sunday. The Double Blues had a recovery session at Adelaide Oval on Monday.

Port is confident Matt White will front the Double Blues after being in doubt with an ankle problem.

The speedster left the second semi-final win over the Eagles in the first quarter, but trained okay at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday night.

He must still pass a fitness test today, but Port’s state league team manager Shane Grimm expects him to be given the all clear.

“He still needs to get through Friday’s training, and he will be thoroughly tested,” said Grimm, the football manager with the Double Blues last year.

“If he is not 100 per cent he won’t play, but he is confident he will be right.”

Will Snelling, a premiership player with West Adelaide in 2015, will also be tested after damaging his hand against the Eagles.

Angus Monfries, sidelined with a calf problem after the qualifying final win over the Double Blues, was ruled out of contention for a spot early in the week.