The squads will be confirmed an hour before kick-off but winger Sam De Koning is the most likely candidate to feature in the side, with experienced striker Gary Rohan and second-year Irishman Oisin Mullin also among the options.

Over the years, the Cats have become notorious for making changes to their line-up just before matches, particularly finals, but Stewart’s absence will be felt far more than any mind games by Port Adelaide.

2022 defender De Koning, who has been a regular up front this season, was declared fit to play earlier this week after missing the home and away fixtures of the season with a knee injury.

De Koning played for the VFL Cats in last week’s defeat to Werribee to prove his fitness.

Initially, however, the Cats opted to field an unchanged side at Adelaide Oval before Stewart lost his head and De Koning was called up as a reserve.

Another pair of veterans, Tom Hawkins and Cameron Guthrie, are expected to return from injury in the Cats’ VFL semi-final against Southport at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with their sights set on a senior semi-final or preliminary final call-up, depending on whether they can claim victory on Thursday evening.

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Powers recalled star midfielder Zak Butters despite concerns over an eye injury he sustained in midweek, while veteran Charlie Dixon was selected in attack instead of Todd Marshall.

Dixon replaces the omitted Dante Visentini, while former Cat Quinton Narkle returns for the injured Kane Farrell.

The Power have opted not to sign a replacement for Farrell in defence, with young paceman Josh Sinn being brought in as a reserve alongside Visentini and Marshall.

FULL TEAMS

Adelaide Harbour

B: Jones, Zerk-Thatcher, Bergman

HB: Burton, Aliir, L Evans

C: Burgoyne, Guilt, Drew

KF: Byrne-Jones, Ratugolea, Rioli

F: Georgiades, Dixon, Rozee (mid)

R: Sweet, Horne-Francis, Butter

I/C: Boak, Narkle, Mead, F Evans, McEntee (sub will be named on Thursday)

EMG: Sinn, Visentini, T Marshall

Geelong

B: Humphries, J Henry, Kolodjashnij

HB: Duncan, Blicavs, Z Guthrie

C: Holmes, Atkins, Dempsey

HF: Stengle, Neale, Mannagh

F: Shut up, Cameron, Oh Henry

From: Stanley, Dangerfield (c), Stewart

I/C: Tuohy, Bowes, Miers, Bruhn, Bews (name of substitute to be announced on Friday)

EMG: Rohan, Mullin, De Koning