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Another neck injury for Port Adelaide Magpies
Posted Mar 25, 2008 - 1:37 AM
Port Adelaide Magpies are confident Victorian recruit Luke Saunders will be available for the opening round despite suffering a neck injury in the trial against Norwood on Thursday night.
Saunders was cleared of serious damage after being taken to hospital for tests but must prove himself fully fit to face Central District on Saturday night. He has been the second Magpie to be checked out for a neck problem after Mark Dolling last week.
The Redlegs won the final trial hit-out by 22 points at Norwood Oval, which is a confidence boost for the home side. Adelaide Crow Bryce Campbell showed his toughness in and under while former Sydney Swan Sam Rowe has settled in well to his new side’s backline.
Sturt ruckman Fabian Deluca is expected to be available for the season opener despite emerging from his side’s trial win over Glenelg with a slight knee complaint.
The Double Blues surged home with seven goals in the final quarter to overcome the Tigers by 24 points on Thursday night. Sturt’s best were Dane Avery, Nick Wark and Waikerie recruit Jim Plant in defence and midfielder Luke Crane.
Reigning premiers Central District has shrugged off a sluggish preseason with a stunning 74-point victory over their grand final combatants North Adelaide at Elizabeth Oval on Thursday night.
Both teams were missing first pick players but the Bulldogs stamped their authority over a prime challenger to their title and again showed they will hard to beat throughout the year.
Goalsneak Ian Callinan kicked four goals and was a vital spark around the forward line, while Daniel Boyle was impressive in the key defensive post. It was the first trial win for Central District and the first loss for the Roosters.
South Adelaide’s leading ruckman Craig Parry has an anxious wait after being reported in Saturday’s 17-point win over West Adelaide at Richmond Oval. Parry was charged with allegedly forceful contact on Bloods’ Rick Giles in the opening quarter. After an even first term, the Panthers took control of the game in the second and led by almost five goals at three-quarter time.
South Adelaide has named former Adelaide Crow Jason Torney as captain for the 2008 season.
Round One fixtures: Friday – Norwood v Sturt (Norwood), Saturday – North Adelaide v Woodville-West Torrens (Prospect), Saturday night – Central District v Port Adelaide (Elizabeth), Sunday – South Adelaide v Glenelg (Noarlunga)
The Advertiser/Sunday Mail/Stephen O’Loughlin
