This story originally appeared on afl.com.au
PORT Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley says it's "nearly impossible" to overlook forward Aaron Young for Saturday's game against the Brisbane Lions at Adelaide Oval.
The Power have forecast up to three changes in response to their embarrassing 70-point loss to Essendon last weekend.
Young did everything he could to force his way back into the side after collecting 37 possessions and kicking five goals in Port Adelaide's 128-point thumping of SANFL whipping boys West Adelaide who are winless this season.
The 24-year-old was dropped from the Power's side after the round seven loss to West Coast, recalled for two more games before being squeezed out after the round 11 win over Hawthorn.
"We’ll make some changes, there’ll be more than one, and whether that’s one, two or three, we’ll sift through that in the next day or so," Hinkley said on FIVEaa on Tuesday night.
"We’ve got some players we’ve been hoping may be able to turn things around, it hasn’t quite happened, and we’ve also got unbelievable form through the Magpies.
"(Aaron) Young had 37 (disposals) and kicked five goals as a midfielder. It’s nearly impossible not to pick them back into the side.
"The players underneath deserve to get an opportunity."
Defender Dan Houston and midfielders Jesse Palmer and Joe Atley will come into consideration.
Houston, 19, played the first seven games of the season before losing his spot in the side.
But his pin-point kicking and sound decision making out of defence would be valuable for the Power.
Utility Dougal Howard pressed his claims with a dominant display against West Adelaide.
The 21-year-old played six games last year before tearing his ACL in round 13 against Fremantle.
"He’s getting really close 'Dougs', we like him, and he’s coming off an ACL and we only just pushed him forward the last couple of weeks," Hinkley said.
"I think that’s probably where he plays when he comes into the AFL side.
"My first thought is he probably needs another week or two to keep doing what he’s been doing because he’s only had a week or two in the front half.
"The boys had a pretty dominant display against Westies, so it’s a bit hard to judge too much on one sample size.
"If he plays again this week against Sturt it will be a good opportunity to see where Dougal is at - I hope he’s ready to just about break the door down."
