Port Adelaide have confirmed the availability of rebounding back Ryan Burton and key forward Charlie Dixon after both missed the club's semi-final triumph over Hawthorn last Friday.
Burton suffered a minor calf concern following the club's horror qualifying final loss to Geelong at home, in which Burton was one of Port Adelaide's best.
His absence left coach Ken Hinkley woefully undermanned on the half-back line, without he, Kane Farrell or Dan Houston providing a lethal leg.
Fortunately young Jase Burgoyne stood up for his best game at AFL level yet, collecting 26 touches and a goal in the new role, one he may keep alongside Burton, should he be named.
Ryan Burton and Charlie Dixon are expected to be available for our preliminary final โ
More from the medical rooms ๐ https://t.co/OZzKCx9FTc pic.twitter.com/eKrdDJm1wL
— Port Adelaide FC (@PAFC) September 17, 2024
Key forward Charlie Dixon was a late withdrawal from Friday night's semi-final, unable to pass a pre-match fitness test with illness.
With fellow tall Todd Marshall unavailable to play in concussion protocols, Dixon may be named alongside Mitch Georgiades in the front half.
Pending the result of this week's preliminary final, Dixon could be playing the final match of his AFL career this Friday, battling Sydney's small defence at the SCG to try and secure one of the most triumphant grand final berths in recent memory.
Both Dixon and Burton trained fully on Tuesday, easing the nerves of a potentially decisive fitness test ahead of selection on Thursday.
Lethal left-footed back Kane Farrell is edging closer to availability, but will seemingly not line up on Friday as he continues his hamstring recovery.
Farrell's training load has seen an increase in high-speed work, with reports suggesting the injury is mending well, though not well enough to risk coughing up a spot on the biggest stage of all.
Port Adelaide's Preliminary Final side will be named on Thursday at 6:20pm (AEST).