PORT Adelaide midfield development coach Scott Thompson has deemed co-captain Ollie Wines and vice-captain Hamish Hartlett in the mix to face an in-form Lions side this weekend.
The Power took away the four points against the Blues on the weekend but were hit hard on the injury front, losing Jack Watts and Karl Amon to serious injuries which will see them face an extended period of time on the side lines.
With this, comes at least two forced changes to the Round 3 side.
Speaking with media on Monday, Thompson said Hartlett and Wines are both a 50/50 chance to play in the AFL side this weekend.
Wines has spent the past several weeks recovering from a pre-season shoulder injury, but returned to full contact training last week.
“Ollie has had a really solid few weeks on the track now,” Thompson said.
“Ollie coming off his shoulder – it’s the time frame, there’s a lot of random movement compared to what you can put yourself through in training session so there’s a risk in that.”
Hartlett made his return to competitive football in Port Adelaide’s SANFL trial match against Adelaide two weeks ago, and backed it up in the Magpies’ season opener win over the Bloods on Friday night.
“Hammer has strung a couple of really strong games together for the Magpies in the SANFL,” Thompson added.
“Hammer is [about] match fitness - he’s only played the two games back.
“Other than that, they are rearing and ready.
“If they come in no doubt, they will play their role, they are leaders of the team.”
With the loss of Watts, who made the move down back in 2019, there is a spot to be filled in the Power’s back line.
Thompson identified a number of players in the SANFL side who could be given an AFL callup.
“We’ve got a number of backs that are in really good form at SANFL level,” he said.
“Dougal Howard played well on the weekend, Joel Garner is playing some good footy down back at SANFL level.
“There are a number of guys in the mix and Hamish is one of them.”
Thompson said there won’t be a time frame put on Watts’ return at this stage, but there’s no certainty it’s season-ending.
“He [Watts] has dealt with a bit over the summer and his form early on was really solid, so it’s unfortunate for him to go down,” he said.
“When he does come back there’s no doubt he will play a role.
“If he is able to play, he will come into selection in the back end of the season.”
And facing Brisbane on their home deck this weekend as another great challenge for the Power according to the development coach – a challenge they’re ready to face.
“They’ve got a lot of strengths across the field, when you look through their team,” he said.
“They’ve had a really positive start, they are up and about playing some exciting footy.
“They’ve added some great midfield depth to their team with Lachie Neale and Jarrod Lyons from the Gold Coast, they are certainly up and about and it’s a great challenge to go up and play them on their home deck this weekend.
“There is certainly inner belief that we can get the job done no matter who we face.”
