A trip to AAMI Stadium to face the Power is forthcoming, and with multiple players in great form for VFL affiliates North Ballarat and Werribee, there is no shortage of options to choose from.
kangaroos.com.au takes a look at the players most likely to push for a call-up against Port Adelaide.
Aaron Black
The recently re-signed key forward turned in a stellar performance to help North Ballarat to its second win of the season. Considering the coaching staff think highly enough of Black to lock him up until the end of 2014, his four goals, 15 possessions and six marks should have him right in the mix for his second senior game.
Matt Campbell
Since being demoted to the Roosters, Campbell has spent more time in the midfield and it has shown in increased possession numbers. On the weekend he collected 21 to go with five tackles and two goals. After North was punished by the Bulldogs' key midfielders, an extra rotation through the centre may be what Scott is looking for to add an another dynamic.
Cruize Garlett
On the fringe of a call-up for a few weeks, Garlett turned in another solid performance for North Ballarat on Sunday to do his chances no harm. Considering North Melbourne lost the clearances to the Bulldogs by 10, Garlett could be a handy contributor in that area.
Levi Greenwood
In North Melbourne's win against Port at AAMI Stadium last season, Greenwood collected one Brownlow vote. Named in the best players again for Werribee on Sunday, he could be an option to implement a midfield tag on any of the Power's midfielders. The exploits of Matthew Boyd and Ryan Griffen on Sunday is something the coaching staff won't want a repeat of.
Nathan Grima
With plenty of match practice under his belt after an injury ruined his start to the season, Grima turned in another solid performance for Werribee. While he would bolster the North Melbourne back-line if included, the dilemma is who he would replace given the good form of the the Kangaroos' defensive six.
Lachlan Hansen
When asked about Hansen in his appearance 'On The Couch' on Monday, Scott stated:
"Lachie would be very disappointed to be playing in the VFL right at the moment, but he has some very clear things he needs to work on and at the moment he's not forcing his way past our other key forwards."
However, Hansen was impressive for Werribee kicking two goals and taking six marks on a day not suited for key forwards last week. It may be enough to put him in the mind of the match committee.
Ben Mabon
Hamish McIntosh's injury leaves him in some doubt to play this weekend which means there is a vacancy for the second ruckman position if the coaching staff decide to go in that direction. With that in mind, Mabon picked the best possible time for a breakout game last week. He amassed 16 touches, 19 hit-outs, seven clearances, four tackles and a goal in a well-balanced outing. Still very much in the development phase, Mabon would have to be considered an outside chance.
Ben McKinley
Consistent for Werribee week-in, week-out, McKinley has regularly been among the Tigers' best, both up forward and in defence. This was no exception on the weekend as he kicked two goals and had 17 disposals. The battle for key-position spots will make it tough, but Scott would be delighted with his continued good form.
Aaron Mullett
The nominated rookie was close to best-on-ground for North Ballarat in its win on Saturday. 28 possessions and seven inside 50's indicates Mullett is now at the level where he has enough confidence in his game to be a top-line VFL player. Now it's up to the youngster to translate that form to the AFL if he is given an opportunity at AAMI Stadium.
Cameron Pedersen
Dropped to Werribee after his first taste of senior football in 2012, Pedersen responded in the perfect fashion with an excellent performance playing all around the ground. The number 39 dominated both in the ruck and in attack, kicking two goals to go with 21 disposals and 15 hit-outs. His versatility in the potential absence of McIntosh would no doubt be an advantage if his raised at the selection table.
Will Sierakowski
Sierakowski's took a step up in the eyes of the match commitee last week when he was named as emergency, signalling he could be close to a debut. He didn't play for Werribee on Sunday, and with fresh legs could again be among those in line for selection.
Ben Speight
After a few quiet weeks at VFL level, Speight broke out of a minor form slump with 20 disposals for Werribee on Sunday. His ability to be damaging as a goalscoring midfielder will intrigue the match committee, though he'll be looking to improve on his accuracy after he booted four behinds.
Ben Warren
19 goals in his seven games this season for Werribee suggests Warren should be on the cusp of a senior call-up. He did his chances no harm against Coburg on Sunday with a strong work-rate around the ground all day, an element of his game that demands respect from the selectors.
