AFL news: Port Adelaide, Adelaide reveal Covid top-up lists for 2022 season

Coronavirus protocols will sideline players from several rival clubs for the start the season. This is how protocols will play out at the Crows and Port Adelaide this weekend.

Matt Turner

@mattturner1986

2 min read

March 17, 2022 - 5:40PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

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Both South Australian clubs look set to enter Round 1 without their squad being affected by Covid-19.

As coronavirus protocols sideline players from several rival clubs for the start the season, the Crows and Port Adelaide do not have any isolating as it stands.

A local radio rumour that the virus would affect the Power’s team selections this week was dismissed by the club, which on Thursday said only a development coach was in isolation.

The Crows have already had Covid sweep through West Lakes, causing the team to cancel its internal trial last month due to more than a dozen players being unavailable.

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Port Adelaide should have no Covid complications for it’s match with Brisbane.

Hawthorn, Collingwood and West Coast have been hampered ahead of their season-openers.

Captain Ben McEvoy and veteran Luke Bruest are in health and safety protocols at the Hawks, the Magpies have forward Will Hoskin-Elliott missing, while midfielder Tim Kelly has tested positive to Covid and high flyer Liam Ryan has been isolating.

Port Adelaide trained on Thursday ahead of its clash with Brisbane at the Gabba on Saturday night.

Spearhead Charlie Dixon (ankle) was running away from the main group in a sign he would not make the team to face the Lions.

Wingman Xavier Duursma (soreness) also trained separately, while small forward Orazio Fantasia jogged along the sidelines as part of his recovery from knee surgery.

Small forward Jed McEntee, father-son midfielder Jackson Mead and last year’s pick 12, Josh Sinn, have been in the mix to play on Saturday.

Adelaide confirmed on Wednesday that draftees Josh Rachele and Jake Soligo would make their debuts against Fremantle at home on Sunday.

Former Sydney wingman Jordan Dawson will play his first game as a Crow after overcoming a calf injury.

Brodie Smith and his Crows teammates appear to have a clean bill of health when it comes to Covid.

Power, Crows Covid top-up lists revealed

Former Crow Bryce Gibbs could be suiting up for Port Adelaide this year after being named as one of the club’s potential Covid-19 top-up players.

Gibbs, a joint winner of the SANFL’s Magarey Medal last year, has been chosen as one of 20 potential top-ups for the Power this year.

Top-up player lists were released on Thursday, with Ryan Garthwaite, Keegan Brooksby, Oscar Clavarino and Kaiden Brand among the ex-AFL players also on the Power’s list.

Hamish Hartlett could also return to Port Adelaide after being picked, while Daniel Menzel, Troy Menzel and Matthew Lobbe are other former AFL players on a largely experienced Port Adelaide list.

The Crows have Harrison Wigg, Sam Durdin and Nathan Freeman on their list, while several SANFL stars could be called upon if needed.