PORT Adelaide's on-ball brigade will have to shark the taps of opposition ruckmen to compensate for the loss of Matthew Lobbe, defender Matthew Broadbent says.
The Power will rely on second-gamer Dougal Howard and forward Charlie Dixon in the ruck after Lobbe sustained a knee injury in the SANFL on Sunday.
Lobbe will have scans on Tuesday after copping a knock in the second quarter of Port Adelaide's game with Sturt.
Howard held his own in Port's 35-point win against Richmond at the MCG on Saturday night, but isn't as dominant in the ruck contest as Lobbe.
Injury update: Lobbe to have scans
''Even though probably (Howard) is not going to get the same amount of hit-outs, his work around the ground and competitiveness to hunt the ball was excellent,'' Broadbent said.
"The good midfielders do that (read off other ruckmen); they're not always relying on the tap going their way.
''We'll have to work that into our game plan.''
Lobbe was dropped to the SANFL to work on becoming more involved around the ground after a poor start to the season.
''We're obviously a better side with 'Lobes' playing well, hopefully it's not too long,'' Broadbent said.
"He's walking around on it yesterday, so we can hope for the best, but we won't know the full extent of it until the scan.
"I'm sure he's very flat, but we'll get around him and he'll work his way back with whatever rehab he has to do for the knee.''
Howard will have his work cut out against Brisbane Lions ruckman Stefan Martin at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
The Power is also well aware they can't take the Lions lightly after getting beaten in the corresponding fixture last season.
The Lions showed they are capable of causing an upset in a narrow three-point loss to the Sydney Swans at the Gabba on Sunday.
"Brisbane are playing great footy, as we saw against Sydney yesterday, and obviously we don't need a reminder of what happened last year,'' Broadbent said.
"It happened last year and we've got a chance to show we've learnt from last year.
''It's going to be another big contest this week.''
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