Heading into Round 9, Ken Hinkley will be forced to make at least one change to the side that succumbed to St Kilda, with young forward Todd Marshall breaking his thumb and requiring surgery which will keep him out for six weeks.
Some players will also be in the firing line.
Veteran Justin Westhoff was handed a reprieve when Trent McKenzie was a late out with back troubles. I am not sure Westhoff holds his place this week because if McKenzie is passed fit, he will no doubt be straight back into the selected 22.
Resting players could be on the agenda too. Perhaps it is time to give Connor Rozee a break, who has not been living up to his usual lofty standards.
Then there is the midfield group, with Ollie Wines and Riley Bonner possibly being axed, meaning there could be a number of changes.
So, who could Hinkley bring in to face Melbourne on Thursday night?
Trent McKenzie is one of the Power’s most consistent players. He will be looked at this week after having to withdraw late against St Kilda due to back spasms however he will have to train strongly at the club’s main session to be a chance, an automatic selection if fit.
Port were smashed in the middle of the ground last Saturday night and it is vital Scott Lycett returns to the side quickly. He, like McKenzie, will undergo tests on the troublesome knee that sidelined him for the last two matches.
Tom Rockliff is a chance to return after a strong showing in the Power’s trial match against Adelaide on Saturday. Adding him however will mean someone like Sam Powell-Pepper or Wines will miss out as the midfield will become too slow. He will be in the discussion, but I am just not convinced about bringing ‘Rocky’ back this week.
As for Jack Watts, I’m not sure he has done to be left out for so long. Before getting injured in the early stages of last season, he seemed to finally have a role to call his own. Slotting in across half back, he was one of Port’s better performers over the first game-and-a-half before that nasty injury. Maybe a straight swap with Riley Bonner? It is not as farfetched as it sounds.
Finally, Wylie Buzza could replace injured forward Todd Marshall. The ex-Cat could also be used to give Peter Ladhams a chop out against Max Gawn if Lycett fails to overcome his knee injury
Notable mentions
Young inside midfielders Joe Atley and Willem Drew impressed in the trial against Adelaide and both have played at AFL level before. If Hinkley wanted to send a message to his midfield group then these two young bulls could get their chance.
I would also like to see Miles Bergman get his debut. With the condensed fixture list, it is only a matter of time before we see he and Mitch Georgiades up forward in the same game, will it be this week?
Ken Hinkley has lost the game advantage on top of the AFL ladder and with a tough set of games coming up, he has to get the team selection right.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
No Lycett, Damn
Maxy
Roar Rookie
i would love jack back also,wouldnt play him forward but he played really well down back,was a very nasty injury he had,he must be getting close for a recall,our backline has been very stable in all honesty but we do lack height against some sides which is a concern for mine
Maxy
Roar Rookie
Bergman will begin his career down back [is my mail where they have been blooding him to start his career] williams more likely as a forward to begin his .Sounds like bonner and marshall out, rocky and lienert in .Some lucky players get a reprieve again,could be due to injuries mounting up , dont like wines spp and rockliff in the same side,to like for like for me ,oh well . Midfield better come to play this week or it could get ugly, Gawn will dominate this game so they better be ready
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
I think Watts has to come in, Play the Hoff back, he’s a great servant of the club and will be keen to make amends for last week, we need his height. They won’t drop Wines, 1 because he’ll chuck a wobbly and 2 because they need him to get his value up for trade time. Watts in for Marshall and plays forward, Lycett hopefully for Ladhams, McKenzie or Lienert for Bonner, Garner for Rozee, but only for a week then he comes back.
Slick
Roar Rookie
Yeah he was playing defence in the one and a half games he was playing well. I agree in putting him back there. But after a year and a half on the sidelines he’d be begging for a spot anywhere on the field and I think would be put in more than a 100% effort anywhere. He played almost his whole career as a forward. Must still have some great qualities in that position.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Didn't last season when Watts was on absolute Fire wasn't he playing out of the backline? I'd be trying to get him back there
Slick
Roar Rookie
Gawn will have a field day against any ruckman we put in that's not named 'Scott Lycett'. We will lose the game if we are getting smashed in center clearances again due to a ruckman providing first use to his team, and us needing to start our attack from D50. Personally, I'd be incredibly happy to see Jack Watts come into the team again. You mention slotting him into Bonner's position, but personally I could see him being picked to be Todd Marshals replacement at CHF.
Gyfox
Roar Rookie
Thanks for this article, Adam :-)
Cracka
Roar Rookie
Carlton should have beat the Power and the Saints did and both club used speed, whoever is going to come in for a possible call up they need speed. Game plan is strong as long as Dixon doesn’t get injured or beaten.