Port Adelaide comes into the 2021 with a lot of depth and big name players are going to miss out on a sport for Round 1.
The 2020 minor premiers added to their squad over summer, with the likes of Aliir Aliir, Orazio Fantasia and draftee Lachie Jones expected to be in the selection mix.
Kane Cornes has named the 10 Port players who will likely miss out on Round 1, not including Connor Rozee and Sam Powell-Pepper, who have injury issues.
“This is just my opinion, I’m guessing on the way selection will go,” Cornes told SEN SA Breakfast.
“I’ve got Hamish Hartlett missing, Lachie Jones, I think Mitch Georgiades will miss because I think they’ll go with two rucks and Charlie Dixon and Peter Ladhams in the forward line and surround them with smalls.
“Todd Marshall also will miss, I’ve got Tom Rockliff out, Trent McKenzie out, Boyd Woodcock, Jarrod Lienert, Jackson Mead and Sam Hayes.
“I think Miles Bergman will get the nod and Kane Farrell will get the nod.
“Now you might throw in Connor Rozee and Sam Powell-Pepper to that mix as well (with injuries). You could probably chuck in Sam Mayes as well.”
On the flip side, Cornes believes the 10 players listed above would all be in Adelaide’s best 22 this year.
“Those 10 that I mentioned, minus Rozee and Powell-Pepper, would walk into the Crows’ best 18 and they’re not even going to be included in Port’s 22. They’re going to play SANFL,” he said.
“I reckon Woodcock plays ahead of James Rowe. I reckon Mead is the equal or in front of Rowe or Chayce Jones.
“If Mead is in Port Adelaide’s best 24 right now and is looking capable like he did on the weekend, he absolutely plays for Adelaide.”
Port Adelaide takes on North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium in Round 1.