JACKSON Trengove is pushing to be declared fit for Port Adelaide’s Round 12 game against Carlton at the MCG as his trademark recuperative powers service him well again in his ankle recovery.
The ankle injury sustained against Richmond a fortnight ago was originally expected to keep him out until after the Round 13 bye, however Darren Burgess says there is a chance Trengove could be fit to face the Blues.
“Jacko’s been pretty good at recovering faster than usual in the past and he’s going a little quicker than we expected with the ankle,” Burgess told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“He could be fit to play before the Carlton game, but that will all depend on how he trains next week.
“He may just miss that opportunity if he can’t quite get there, but we’re certainly confident he’ll be playing against Sydney.”
Patrick Ryder will also be assessed to play against the Cats on Friday night, dependent on passing a fitness test at training this week.
“Paddy’s down as an assessment this week, we’ll know for sure when he trains in the next couple of days,” Burgess said.
Port Adelaide’s first pick in the 2014 national draft will be free to play his first game for the club in the SANFL this weekend.
Despite playing in the club’s pre-season trial games and against the Tigers in the NAB Challenge in Albury, Dougal Howard was sidelined by a lower leg injury that has kept him out of the first 10 weeks of the season.
But he’ll be available for selection in the Magpies team that travels to Richmond to play the in-form West Adelaide on Saturday afternoon.
It follows the debut of Billy Frampton in Saturday’s SANFL win over Central District, and comes as Logan Austin – another 2014 draft pick – readies for a return against the Crows in the fourth SANFL Showdown.
Mason Shaw will miss up to two months with a groin injury after being withdrawn from the Magpies before Saturday’s game.
Shaw pulled up sore from Port Adelaide’s win over Glenelg the week before and the decision was made to put him back in recovery.
“The early estimate is 6-8 weeks, although we’re hoping he can pull through sooner than that,” Burgess said.
“He didn’t come out of the Glenelg game well so - as we should – we’ve made the call to take him out and get it right.”
Jared Polec will be scanned next week with a call to be made on his further rehabilitation after that.
Port Adelaide AFL injury list (as of Monday 8 June)
Dougal Howard – lower leg (available)
Patrick Ryder – Achilles (assess)
Logan Austin – groin soreness (1 week)
Jackson Trengove – ankle (1-2 weeks)
Jared Polec – foot (5-7 weeks)*|
Mason Shaw - groin (6-8 weeks)
*denotes long-term injury list
Port Adelaide SANFL injury list (as of Monday 8 June)
Luke Wilson – arm (6-8 weeks)
