Port Have No Cross To Bare
Wednesday 13th April, 2005

Port go into this weekend's match against Wollongong at Noel Mulligan Oval without the services of three front rowers.

Daniel Matthews has been ruled out for the season due to a fractured back. His replacement in the round two game against Corrimal, Matt Skora, lasted only one minute before he was forced from the field with an ankle injury. Skora has not recovered from the injury and will miss the Bulls game this weekend.

Port Club Captain Michael Cross will also be absent from the team due to commitments with the Defence Services team.

The absences due to injury are further compounded by a growing list of casualties from the first two rounds. Nathan Heffernan is out for an indefinite period with a knee injury, while round one interchange players Ben Carr and Luke Watts remain sidelined with their respective injuries.

Keiran Jack suffered a broken hand from the Cougars reserve Grade match and joins team-mate Christian Kupenga (shoulder) on the sidelines.

Port will however be boosted by the return of captain-coach Craig Simon to the First Grade starting line up. Simon has recovered from a knee injury which cut short his time in the Finals series of 2004.

Joshua Edwards also returns to First Grade after recovering from an injury sustained in round 1, and will join Julian Ulukita in First Grade who has been elevated to cover the absence of the three previously mentioned front rowers.

In Reserve Grade, Brent Douglas' solid start to the season has been rewarded with his elevation to the starting line up, together with Daniel Nunez and 2004 Under 18's player of the year, Jesse King.

The successful Under 18's team remains largely unchanged, five eighth Matthew Michalowski holding his place in the First Grade centre position. Dean Erskine makes his run-on debut for Port at lock.

Under 18's kicks off at 12pm before Reserve Grade at 1.30pm and First Grade at 3pm.