Port's White cleared to face Dockers
Port Adelaide speedster Matt White has been declared a certain starter for tomorrow night's first semifinal against Fremantle, with his run labelled a major asset on the wide expanses of Patersons Stadium.
The 27-year-old sustained a hairline fracture to his jaw in last Sunday's thumping 57-point win over Richmond at Adelaide Oval and was in doubt earlier this week.
But the Power yesterday named the former Richmond midfielder on their interchange bench to face the Dockers, with White joining in with a short, sharp training session at the Perth ground this morning.
Power assistant coach Shaun Hart said White was "absolutely" right to go.
"He'll definitely play." Hart said.
"There's always a risk with anyone playing, but Matt certainly has sized that up and at this stage he's fine with that.
"We believe he'll be a really beneficial player for us tomorrow, as he has been for most of the year."
Jay Schulz took little part in this morning's open training session.
The key forward wore sneakers and shared banter with teammates, including young star Chad Wingard.
"We jokingly say he hasn't trained for the last month too much," Hart said.
"He's just a guy that needs to make sure he's ready to play on game day."
All three of Port Adelaide's emergencies - Jarman Impey, Kane Mitchell and Aaron Young - have travelled to Perth and trained this morning.
Hart said they were not viewing a Fremantle line-up missing Hayden Ballantyne (jaw), Luke McPharlin (calf) and Michael Johnson (back) as vulnerable.
"Freo no matter what, the culture always drives the performance," Hart said.
"That's what Freo are all about and that's what we, funnily enough, are all about as well.
"We want to know that whoever takes the field for us on game day will represent the Port Adelaide team, club and brand as well as possible and Freo are the same.
"I don't really buy into any of the people who are missing necessarily. We've just got to make sure we get our job done."
