North fans will get the chance to see Robbie Tarrant in action for the first time in 2015 with the key defender named to line up against Port Adelaide on Saturday night at Etihad Stadium.
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The 25-year-old played as a key forward in recent seasons but made the switch to the backline in the off season in a bid to increase his opportunities in the North side. Battling a leg injury for the majority of last year, Tarrant managed just one game and replaces Joel Tippett in the side.
With Nick Dal Santo out for an extended period of time, midfielder Ryan Bastinac gets another opportunity. The highly skilled 23-year-old was dropped for the Roos’ team after their disappointing loss to the Crows in round one.
Brad McKenzie, Ben Jacobs and Tippett have been placed on the emergency list.
Meanwhile the club has placed defender Nathan Grima on the long term injury list follwing his recent back injury with no replacement named at this stage.
Team v Port Adelaide
B: Luke McDonald, Scott Thompson, Michael Firrito
HB: Shaun Atley, Brent Harvey, Sam Wright
C: Daniel Wells, Jack Ziebell, Sam Gibson
HF: Kayne Turner, Jarrad Waite, Shaun Higgins
F: Lindsay Thomas, Drew Petrie, Ben Brown
Fol: Todd Goldstein, Ben Cunnington, Andrew Swallow
Int: Ryan Bastinac, Robbie Tarrant, Robin Nahas, Mason Wood
Emer: Brad McKenzie, Joel Tippett, Ben Jacobs
In: Robbie Tarrant, Ryan Bastinac
Out: Nick Dal Santo (hamstring), Joel Tippett (omitted)
Meanwhile Port Adelaide has made four changes to the side, with Brad Ebert scheduled to play his 150th game.
Port Adelaide's team v North Melbourne
B: J.Hombsch, A.Carlile, J.Trengove
HB: J.Pittard, T.Jonas, M.Broadbent
C: J.Polec, B.Ebert, A.Young
HF: R.Gray, J.Westhoff, C.Wingard
F: H.Hartlett, J.Schulz, M.White
Fol: P.Ryder, T.Boak, O.Wines
Int: A.Monfries, K.Mitchell, B.Ah Chee, N.Krakouer
Emer: T.Clurey, K.Cornes, A.Moore
In: N.Krakouer, K.Mitchell, A.Young, B.Ah Chee
Out: K.Cornes (rested), J.Redden (omitted), J.Neade (omitted), J.Impey (hamstring)
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