PORT ADELAIDE vice-captain Ollie Wines says the absence of Brownlow Medalist Dustin Martin from Richmond’s team tomorrow night won’t make the Tigers an easier prospect.
Martin has been ruled out of the game with a sore calf and is travelling to New Zealand to visit his father Shane.
It’s only the second time the 26-year-old has missed a game to injury – the first was in round 22 2014 – and it brings to an end a run of 83 straight games.
“He’s an incredible player and obviously he’s their best player and that goes a long way for us having a chance to win the game,” Wines said during an interview with Adelaide radio station FiveAA.
“But, I guess from a mental mindset, it probably can’t change too much, despite losing him you’ve got to go into the game with the same mindset of playing the game you want regardless of who is out there.
“It is a big loss for them but they are a team that doesn’t really rely on one player to stand up.
“They’re a really good consistent team all over the park – forwards, backs and mids – they’re a team of team players.”
The Tigers are second on the ladder with nine wins and two losses but have won four of their past seven games against the Power since 2013.
The sides have won two each of the four games played at Adelaide Oval.
Wines also backed forward Chad Wingard to return to form, after he admitted he had been struggling to replicate the performances which saw him become a dual All-Australian.
“Chad is probably in that difficult position where he’s got to play a bit of (midfield and a bit up forward) so his form probably hasn’t been up to his All-Australian form over the last however many years,” Wines said.
“He knows that and he’s working hard.
“For Chad, his best footy comes off his pressure on the man.
“He’s incredibly quick, he’s got good match awareness and his best footy in terms of rewards on the scoreboard will come from doing that unrewarded running and tackling.”
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