Opinion
Going into Round 3, Port Adelaide will be forced to make at least one change for their Sunday afternoon clash with Fremantle, with defender Ryan Burton sidelined with a knee injury suffered last Saturday night. He is expected to miss three or four weeks.
Here are the potential candidates that could come into the side, which thumped Adelaide by 75 points.
Ollie Wines
Wines has completed his one-match suspension due to breaking the COVID-19 rules when being interviewed by a reporter at his home before Round 2. Wines performed strongly in the club’s trial match against the Crows. He would be a great addition to Port’s midfield and if in fact he does return that could push Dan Houston to half back to make way for Wines, although his inclusion would mean they lack real leg speed in the middle. With Port’s midfield doing well without him, the vice-captain might have to bide his time as it would be cruel to drop anyone after the club’s impressive win.
(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Jarrod Lienert
Lienert was a late inclusion for half back Riley Bonner for the Power’s Round 1 clash with the Suns. As he plays a similar role to Burton across half back with his long kicking and ability to take contested marks, it would seem like a logical choice for him to slot back into the 22 with Burton out, but as there are numerous options at Ken Hinkley’s disposal, his name will be one of many discussed this week.
Jack Watts
Probably a long shot as this stage is the former number one pick. Watts also played in the Power’s trial game against Adelaide in what was his first real competitive hit-out since his nasty leg break last season against Carlton. His form was good before he was injured, and he could be a long shot to make his return to the AFL side. Common sense would suggest that Watts needs more match conditioning and weeks of full training before returning to the fold, but with Port’s early-season form, he may have to wait for his chance.
Mitch Georgiades
The young forward has shaken off his calf injury and is in the mix for a return this Sunday. His two-goal performance on his debut in Round 1 against the Suns was a highlight but with Port’s forward line firing on all cylinders it would be hard to a make a case to drop any one of them in favour of Georgiades.
Ken Hinkley has a wealth of options at his disposal heading into the club’s clash with Fremantle, with virtually a full squad to choose from. The Power will be close to full strength for the second consecutive week as they look to start the season with a 3-0 record as they start their round of games in the Queensland hub. Port Adelaide’s initial squad will be announced on Thursday night before it is trimmed to the final 22 come Friday night.
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