PORT ADELAIDE Coach Ken Hinkley says star forward Chad Wingard has proved his fitness to return from a hamstring injury in tomorrow’s Showdown.
Wingard missed last weekend’s loss to West Coast after feeling for his left hamstring following a shot on goal against North Melbourne in Round 6.
The 24 year-old has kicked seven goals in his six games so far this year and he is one of four inclusions for the game against Adelaide.
It’s the second soft tissue injury Wingard has encountered in 2018, having damaged his right hamstring in pre-season.
"He had some slight hamstring issues, there's no doubt about that, but our medical team are really clear that he's passed everything," Hinkley said ahead of Saturday’s game.
"He ran fast on Friday last week, he's trained all week this week and we'd be waiting for the sake of waiting.
"There's some risk with any hamstring return and Chad might be at risk tomorrow, but we understand those risks and we're prepared to take them."
As well as Wingard, Tom Rockliff, Tom Clurey and Sam Powell-Pepper return to the side at the expense of Karl Amon, Dom Barry, Jasper Pittard and the injured Aidyn Johnson.
Hinkley said Powell-Pepper was ready to resume in the AFL, having played two games in the SANFL since serving a three-game ban for a late-night incident.
The Coach was confident the 20 year-old would be able to deal with any taunts from opposing players and supporters.
"Sam's had a couple games back at a lower level and he's dealt with some of those little issues already,” Hinkley said.
“He understands the mistakes he's made and he owns them.”
The Crows lead the overall Showdown ledger 22-21, having won the last five games between the sides.
Hinkley said his side was determined to end its losing streak.
"We don't enjoy losing to the Adelaide Crows, we don't enjoy losing to anyone," He said.
"Particularly in Adelaide, we don't enjoy it.
"We get an opportunity tomorrow to try and correct that.
"We understand the quality of the opponent we're playing - I think that goes missing sometimes - this is a high-class football team we're playing against and we're going to give our absolute best to make the number 1-0 in our favour.”
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