The Soaring

More changes at the Eagles as we try to recapture some form and cover for injuries in the run home. As I predicted (ok, guessed) earlier in the week - Armstrong and Morton are back due to injuries to Fletcher and Wirrpanda. Graham is also out and makes way for Eric MacKenzie to make his debut, along with Ben McKinlay who comes into the side for Daniel Kerr (suspended).

To demonstrate who light on the list is the emergencies for this game are the highly credentialed trio of Houlihan, Spangher and James Thomson who has been playing reserves for Claremont. Officially we are at the bottom of the barrel.

And we’re traveling to a ground where we haven’t beaten our opponent since 1998. On that occasion I recall a young Ben Cousins hauling us over the line with a dramatic last quarter. We’d probably find him a place in this team too if it weren’t for injury. The challenge is present for the boys in this game against Port @ AAMI stadium if they are good enough.

PORT ADELAIDE v WEST COAST
Saturday, 2.40pm CST, AAMI Stadium

PORT ADELAIDE
B: Michael Wilson, Toby Thurstans, Alipate Carlile
HB: Peter Burgoyne, Chad Cornes, Jacob Surjan
C: Domenic Cassisi, Shaun Burgoyne, Nathan Lonie
HF: Danyle Pearce, Warren Tredrea, Daniel Motlop
F: Dean Brogan, Justin Westhoff, Brett Ebert
FOLL: Brendon Lade, Kane Cornes, David Rodan
I/C: Travis Boak, Greg Bentley, Michael Pettigrew, Adam Thomson
EMG: Troy Chaplin, Nathan Krakouer, Nick Lower

In: Pearce
Out: Mahoney (omitted)

WEST COAST
B: Eric Mackenzie, Darren Glass, Adam Selwood
HB: Beau Waters, Adam Hunter, Brett Jones
C: Andrew Embley, Matt Priddis, Michael Braun
HF: Daniel Chick, Chad Jones, Rowan Jones
F: Mark LeCras, Quinten Lynch, Mark Seaby
FOLL: Dean Cox, Chris Judd, Shannon Hurn
I/C: Steven Armstrong, Ben McKinley, Mitch Morton, Matt Rosa
EMG: Tim Houlihan, Matt Spangher, James Thomson

In:Armstrong, Mackenzie, McKinley, Morton
Out:Fletcher (groin), Graham (calf), Wirrpanda (groin), Kerr (susp)