SANFL: Jason Porplyzia declared fit to face Eagles in second semi-final

WEST Adelaide has dismissed any doubts over Jason Porplyzia’s health and the former Adelaide star will definitely front Woodville-West Torrens in the second semi-final at Adelaide Oval Sunday.

West Adelaide has dismissed any doubts over Jason Porplyzia’s health and the former Adelaide star will definitely front Woodville-West Torrens in the second semi-final at Adelaide Oval Sunday.

Porplyzia injured his shoulder in the third quarter of the qualifying final victory over Port Adelaide and sent a scare through the Bloods camp when he was escorted back to the changerooms holding his arm.

But he returned to the game late in the same term and has been declared a starter in the battle against the Eagles to determine the first team into the grand final.

“Jason’s shoulder is fine,’’ Bloods football manager Andrew Marks said. “It was a stinger and he trained this week, no problem at all.’’

The Bloods had a 60-minute workout at Adelaide Oval last night when the 21 to face the Eagles was finalised. The question facing coach Mark Mickan was whether highly promising youngster Aaron Francis would return to the side after missing last weekend’s action because of illness.

Francis was sent back to his Mallee home to recover but he used training this week to prove he was ready to play.

The Bloods must replace Taite Silverlock, ruled out with a minor hamstring injury, and that was the main dilemma for the selection committee.

“How to replace Tait is the main consideration,’’ Marks said. “We are also looking at marking strength up forward.

“The weather is supposed to be warm and that would mean more balls in the air. That is an area we struggled a bit against Port.

“Taite has been fantastic for us and he is a loss. I don’t think he realises how good he is, he has a penetrating kick and gives us good run and carry.

“The Eagles’ structures are fantastic, especially in defence, and they capitalise on opposition errors so our skills will need to be good.’’

Port Adelaide will be hoping to avoid the finals pattern of the past three years when they take on Central District in the first semi-final. The past three qualifying final winners have lost the following week as well.

There will be 14 full-time Power-listed players in the Port line-up which should prove beneficial if the conditions are warm.

The Bulldogs upset Norwood in last week’s elimination final but they will start an underdog after dropping both games against Port this season. To succeed, the Bulldogs must get significantly more influence from ruckman Ben Mabon and Jesse Kemp.