Port Adelaide team news: Charlie Dixon, Ryan Burton return for Power’s preliminary final clash with Sydney Swans
Ken Hinkley has decided on who to bring in for the injured Todd Marshall, while a defender has also made a comeback from injury to take on the Swans for a spot in the grand final. SEE THE FULL TEAMS
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Port Adelaide has brought in key forward Charlie Dixon and defender Ryan Burton as the Power looks to secure its spot in its first grand final since 2007.
The Power have sprung no major surprises for its preliminary final clash against Sydney at the SCG on Friday night.
Despite Ollie Lord and Dante Visentini travelling with the team to Sydney, the Power will not spring a surprise with Dixon to replace the concussed Todd Marshall after the veteran key forward was a late withdrawal from the thrilling semi-final win over Hawthorn because of a lingering illness.
In a positive development for Marshall, who suffered his fifth concussion in just over three years against the Hawks, he ran at the Power’s captain’s run session at the SCG on Thursday alongside teammates Sam Powell-Pepper and Kane Farrell.
Farrell tried to prove his fitness and make a stunning return from a high-grade hamstring injury this week but the damaging defender could not pass his fitness test.
It means that Burton will be the only change to the Power’s backline, coming in for late-sub Will Lorenz.
This could result in Jase Burgoyne returning to the wing, despite him being best on for the Power in the backline with the son of 2004 premiership winner Peter amassing 25 disposals, nine marks and a goal in the thrilling win over the Hawks.
Despite this incredible game, Burgoyne was training as a wingman during the Power’s main session at Alberton on Tuesday.
Burton has been named on the Power’s interchange with Travis Boak, Quinton Narkle, Jackson Mead and Francis Evans with one to be confirmed as the sub before the game.
The Swans have made just the one change with Robbie Fox beating Taylor Adams in the race to replace the injured Callum Mills.
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