Port Adelaide trims squad to face Brisbane in pre-season series as Jack Watts, Cam Sutcliffe, Willem Drew, Joe Atley miss out

The updated line-ups are in for Port Adelaide’s first pre-season game against Brisbane on Sunday. And Jack Watts is one of four players trimmed from the Power’s side. SEE THE SQUADS.

Robbie Gray will be absent on Sunday because he is sitting out ahead of next Friday’s Bushfire Relief game. Picture: Sarah Reed

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Jack Watts will have to wait to take the next step in his comeback from a horror leg injury after being trimmed from Port Adelaide’s squad to play Brisbane on Sunday.

Watts, who last featured at AFL level in Round 2 last year, was named in the Power’s 30-man line-up for the pre-season match on Thursday night, but was one of four cuts on Friday.

After training away from the main group to start the off-season, Watts played on a half-back flank in the Power’s internal trial at Alberton last Friday and had some nice moments.

Cam Sutcliffe, Joe Atley and Willem Drew were the others to miss selection.

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Jack Watts has not played an AFL game against an opposing club since Round 2 last year. Picture: Sarah Reed

First-year tall forward Mitch Georgiades, who impressed in last week’s trial, and untried goalsneak Tobin Cox kept their spots in the side.

Georgiades was named on the bench, while Cox was picked on a half-forward flank.

The Power’s only notable absentees are Robbie Gray, Scott Lycett, Ollie Wines and Jackson Mead.

Gray (Victoria) and Lycett (All-Stars) are sitting out before they play in the Bushfire Relief game at Marvel Stadium next Friday, February 28.

Vice-captain Wines (shoulder) and father-son draftee Mead (hamstring) are injured.

Peter Ladhams will lead the ruck in Lycett’s absence, while Dan Houston has been named on the ball, where he has impressed since a midfield move late last season.

Tobin Cox has been named on a half-forward flank. Picture: AAP/Kelly Barnes

After playing just 31 AFL games between them in 2019, Charlie Dixon, Brad Ebert and Hamish Hartlett will be looking to continue to build their form ahead of Round 1.

Dixon, who was sidelined while recovering from a horror leg injury until Round 14 last year, starred with four goals in the internal trial.

Ebert spent some time in the midfield in the intra-club match and did not wear a helmet, unlike last year when he battled concussion issues.

Hartlett began pre-season in the rehabilitation group after undergoing off-season knee surgery.

Brisbane has picked Hawthorn premiership player Grant Birchall and ex-Gold Coast Sun Callum Ah Chee to make their first appearances for the club.

Former Crow Cam Ellis-Yolmen is on the Lions’ extended bench.

Mitch Georgiades impressed in last week’s internal trial. Picture: Tait Schmaal

TEAMS

POWER

Backs: R.Burton 3 T.Jonas – C 1 R.Bonner 26

Half Backs: H.Hartlett 8 T.McKenzie 12 D.Byrne-Jones 33

Centreline: X.Duursma 21 T.Rockliff 11 K.Amon 15

Half Forwards: S.Powell-Pepper 2 B.Ebert 7 T.Cox 47

Forwards: Z.Butters 18 C.Dixon 22 C.Rozee 20

Followers: P.Ladhams 38 D.Houston 5 T.Boak 10

Interchange (from): T.Marshall 4 S.Motlop 6 T.Clurey 17 M.Georgiades 19 K.Farrell 24 S.Mayes 32 J.Westhoff 39 J.Lienert 40

LIONS

Backs: D.Gardiner 27 H.Andrews 31 M.Adams 24

Half Backs: G.Birchall 14 C.Ah Chee 4 D.Rich 10

Centreline: J.Berry 7 H.McCluggage 6 Z.Bailey 33

Half Forwards: C.Cameron 23 E.Hipwood 30 D.Zorko – C 15

Forwards: C.Ballenden 38 D.McStay 25 C.Rayner 16

Followers: S.Martin 12 L.Neale 9 J.Lyons 17

Interchange (from): M.Robinson 5 E.Smith 8 L.McCarthy 11 C.McFadyen 26 C.Ellis-Yolmen 28 A.Witherden 29 B.Starcevich 37 O.McInerney 46