SA Footy

Dutchy wrote:Port Adelaide skipper Steven Summerton may have to play in SANFL reserves
Warren Partland, The Advertiser
May 18, 2017 10:13pm
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PORT Adelaide Magpies captain Steven Summerton is almost certain to be forced to front in the SANFL reserves on Saturday after the club named 22 Power players in a 23-man squad for the clash against Woodville-West Torrens at Alberton Oval.

And if all 22 players are declared fit, there will be the extraordinary scenario of an AFL-listed player joining Summerton in the reserves game.

The wealth of AFL talent available to state league coach Chad Cornes is because of the incredibly low injury toll.

Only Nathan Krakouer (foot) is not an option for this week’s action.

Should Summerton, the state team vice-captain in the victory over the VFL last year, play in the reserves, it will follow his 200th league appearance for the club in the belting of reigning premier Sturt at Alberton Oval on May 7. The Power’s state league side had a bye last weekend.

Port has had discussions with Summerton this week and the club’s SANFL and academy manager Shane Grimm, football manager at Sturt last year when the Double Blues claimed the premiership, said the skipper was understanding of the situation.

“If he does play in the Bs, he understands,” Grimm said. “He knows the rules and is pretty good about it.

“We did not think this day would probably come but it has and he understands the rules and he is compliant with it. It is a good situation to be in but also not ideal in another way. There is a reasonable chance all 22 will play. But things can happen at training.”

Already loaded with AFL talent for the first five games, Port regained Dan Houston, Matt White, Aaron Young and Peter Ladhams this week.

Port has approached the SANFL seeking permission for an AFL-listed player to front in the reserves against the Eagles.

“We have to make sure we dot the i’s and cross the t’s,” Grimm said.

The Port situation is similar to that faced by Adelaide in last year’s final series when the Crows fielded an all AFL-player line-up, forcing then captain Luke Carey out of the side.

The rules have been altered this year and the AFL clubs are limited to 17 listed players for the finals.

"But things can happen at training.”

sib wrote:

Mic wrote:Do the Power reserves have to play all their AFL-listed players?

Yes. All available players must play. Its not very often where Port will have a fully fit team. Summerton and Irra will play in the academy this week. Wait for the Port melts.

Mic wrote:

sib wrote:

Mic wrote:Do the Power reserves have to play all their AFL-listed players?

Yes. All available players must play. Its not very often where Port will have a fully fit team. Summerton and Irra will play in the academy this week. Wait for the Port melts.

Cheers. Why has the SANFL made that rule?

amber_fluid wrote:So surely one of the professionals was injured today collecting his soy latte and can now no longer play?
Summerton back in?

Dutchy wrote:Bookies have it right

Mic wrote:Nothing ridiculous about it. The Power Reserves' purpose is to give all their AFL-listed players a run/match fitness. They only need non-AFL listed players when they can't fill a side with them.

Mic wrote:Nothing ridiculous about it. The Power Reserves' purpose is to give all their AFL-listed players a run/match fitness. They only need non-AFL listed players when they can't fill a side with them.

amber_fluid wrote:

Mic wrote:The fact that they have to play AFL listed players first is absurd.
Players should always be picked on merit first and foremost, but that is the rules the 'One Club' signed up to so they now have to abide by them.
.

Big Phil wrote:Steve Summerton in the Academy Team for the Magpies this morning, taking on the Eagles reserves.

amber_fluid wrote:Port must have plenty of money to pay Lobbe Half a mill a year to play at the Magpies now Summerton $1500 a game to play in the Academy 'C' grade side.