AN ELATED Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has proclaimed Paddy Ryder as the competition’s best ruckman after the 29-year-old’s best-on-ground performance against West Coast at Domain Stadium on Sunday.
Aware of Ryder’s abilities – the ruckman was prolific against the Eagles in round seven with 40 hit-outs, 20 disposals, seven marks and a goal – the Eagles selected promising big man Scott Lycett for his first match of the season after overcoming PCL and shoulder concerns.
But Ryder picked up from where he left off, amassing 39 hit-outs, 17 possessions and two goals, including 11 hit-outs and a goal in his team’s dominant final-quarter performance.
"He’s a pretty special player," Hinkley said post-match.
"I love him, I can’t help that.
"He’s the best ruckman in the competition and we’re lucky to have him
"He’s dominating games week in, week out.
"He’s had a significant impact, having had a
After booting the first four goals of the match within 13 minutes, Port Adelaide conceded seven consecutive majors and trailed by as much as four goals midway through the second term.
But the Power
Port Adelaide now sits in fourth place, 21
"In a tight season (the win) is pretty significant," Hinkley said.
"It was bloody impressive, to come back, in Perth, against a team that’s in pretty good form.
"To respond and show some real grunt and ticker … to not give it away.
"(The players) were pretty determined to make sure this was a significant day.
"There’s a bit of pressure coming over here, we lost last week, and we just needed to play each game on its merits.
"Every win’s going to be important between now and the end of the year and when you get another big win on the road, which we’ve done a few times this year, they do make a difference."
In more positive news for the club, emerging first-year midfielder Sam Powell-Pepper is expected to face North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval next Saturday after knocking his shoulder in a crunching tackle on Elliot Yeo 25 minutes into the second quarter.
"I’d say it’s a bruise for him, that’s just what he’s like," Hinkley said.
"It’ll be pretty sore, there’s no doubt about that, but I laugh about it.
"It was quite funny seeing both boys get off the ground – both courageous and strong, the one that did the hitting and the one that copped the hitting – they both hopped up and they played on. Great effort.
"That was a big, big hit and a fair hit.
"Again, he’s one of my
"He’ll play. Good luck stopping him – I can’t imagine them stopping him."
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