This story originally appeared on afl.com.au
DUMPED Port Adelaide defender Jasper Pittard wants to remain at the Power, coach Ken Hinkley says.
Pittard, who becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and is a potential target of clubs in his native Victoria, has been dropped for Port's clash against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday.
But Hinkley said Pittard's long-term future is separate from a form slump which led to his omission for the twilight Adelaide Oval fixture.
"From a contractual point of view, that's not one for me to spend too much time on, other than I know one thing – Jasper wants to play for Port Adelaide," Hinkley said.
"When he's playing really good football, he's winning one-on-one battles, he's competing hard in the air and on the ground and then he's running and setting us up.
"I know he'll do everything he can to be in the form he wants to be."
Hinkley is confident the 26-year-old, who was in the 40-man Virgin Australia AFL All Australian squad and finished third in the Power's best and fairest last year, will respond positively to a stint in the SANFL.
Pittard paid the price for a lack of impact, averaging just under 14 possessions per game in the past three rounds compared to a career-high 22.6 in 2016.
"It's a need for Jasper to just relieve some pressure," Hinkley said on Friday.
"He's trying everything he can to get the form that he wants, it's just not quite working for him.
"This weekend, in a good way, it'll be a relief for him and he'll get back to the form that we know.
"He'll respond pretty quick."
The Power made three changes to the side that was belted by 70 points by Essendon last week.
Rookie-listed defender Dan Houston takes Pittard's spot in the side to play his first game since round seven.
Forward Aaron Young won an immediate recall after 36 possessions and five goals in the SANFL, while small forward Jake Neade plays his first game since round 22 last year.
Midfielders Brendon Ah Chee and Jimmy Toumpas have been omitted.
"For us, it's about the team balance," Hinkley said.
"(Ah Chee) plays as an inside midfielder more often than not, and we think we haven't got that right at the moment.
"That's why Neade and Young come back because we think we need more forward line pressure and damage."
Neade has played 51 games since making his debut in 2013, and forced his way back into the side on the back of strong form in the SANFL.
"What I've liked the most is that his pressure is back to an elite level over the last four to five weeks," Hinkley said.
"He averages nine to 10 tackles per game, and that's what we need in our side.
"We play our best footy when we defend hard and aggressively together, and Jake will help us do that."
