PORT ADELAIDE coach Ken Hinkley has praised veteran forward Lindsay Thomas for earning back the respect of his teammates and his spot in the AFL team with hard work.

Thomas was the last player to join the club in 2017 with pick 12 in the AFL Rookie Draft after 205 games and 325 goals during eleven seasons with North Melbourne.

He started the season in the SANFL and after impressive form with eight goals in his first two games he was given his club AFL debut in the Round 5 encounter with Geelong.

It was a bitter sweet night for Thomas, a former Port Adelaide junior, who kicked his first AFL goal for the club before being involved in an incident which saw him suspended for four weeks.

“He had an unfortunate incident where he got suspended but his three weeks back at SANFL level have been irresistibly good,” Hinkley said.

“He’s been outstanding in that whole period of time he’s been out.

“He’s trained incredibly hard, he’s worked really hard to make himself physically even better than what he was and he’s played the right way.

“He’s helped guide young players in the SANFL and he deserves an opportunity.”

Thomas booted three goals against Central District last Saturday as the Magpies recorded their first SANFL win since Round 2.

He also had two goals in his return game against North Adelaide and four against South Adelaide a week later.

“The boys are quite excited for Lindsay, to see him work so hard and get another opportunity.

“Lindsay knows where he’s at, his career is not at the start – it’s closer to the end isn’t it?

“The challenge for him is to make every most of every moment he has.”

Another player recalled for Thursday night’s game against the Western Bulldogs is young forward Todd Marshall.

The 19-year-old has played two games in the SANFL after returning from compassionate leave following the death of his father.

“Toddy’s excited about being able to be back,” Hinkley said.

“I know his parents would be incredibly proud, I know his family would be incredibly proud that he’s been able to show such great strength and to work through this at such a young age.

“It’s a terrible situation but he’s out there to help his family and make them smile.”

Jack Hombsch will also be named to replace backman Tom Jonas, who has a minor hamstring complaint, while Jack Watts and Jake Neade have been omitted.

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