All eyes will be on Matt White this week.
The pacey midfielder suffered a small fracture in his jaw in a ferocious tackle in Sunday’s Elimination Final win over Richmond.
It’s been confirmed White won’t need surgery, but he’s still in doubt for Saturday’s semi-final. He’ll be given every opportunity to prove he’s right to go, including traveling across with the team on Thursday.
If White fails to come up for the game, Hinkley and the coaches have a number of options available, all in good form in the SANFL.
- Kane Mitchell was an emergency last week and could add pace to the midfield
- Aaron Young was best on ground for the Magpies against Norwood and can play forward or mid
- Ben Newton had 25 possessions, 10 clearances and two goals against the Redlegs
- Paul Stewart could provide another option up forward and has the ability to take a good grab overhead and crumb at ground level.
Hinkley will also consider his options to play on Hayden Ballantyne, should the dangerous small forward be declared fit to play.
Jarman Impey would be candidate number one after the first year speedster returned to the side for the Power’s trip west in Round 23.
Veteran defender Tom Logan could also come into the mix, but Cam O’Shea’s form against Richmond could convince Hinkley to stick with his current line-up.
Port Adelaide most recent team (v Richmond)
B Jackson Trengove, Alipate Carlile, Tom Jonas
HB Matthew Broadbent, Jack Hombsch, Cam O'Shea
C Kane Cornes, Ollie Wines, Hamish Hartlett
HF Robbie Gray, Justin Westhoff, Angus Monfries
F Jake Neade, Jay Schulz, Chad Wingard
FOL Matthew Lobbe, Travis Boak, Brad Ebert
I/C Matt White, Jared Polec, Jasper Pittard
SUB Andrew Moore
Port Adelaide injury list
Matt White – jaw (assess)
Cameron Hitchcock - ankle (assess)
John Butcher - back (assess)
Sam Colquhoun – knee (season)*
Jarrad Redden – knee (season)*
Brent Renouf – knee (season)
*denotes long-term injury listed player
Fremantle
Like White at Alberton, Hayden Ballantyne is the hottest name in Perth right now.
He suffered a broken jaw against Sydney and underwent surgery this week. Despite that – and Ross Lyon all but ruling him out – there is still a real chance he could play.
From Doc Larkins on AFL.com.au…
”The Dockers' X-factor Hayden Ballantyne broke his jaw for the second time this year, against the Sydney Swans last Saturday. He had surgery and it's not a given that he'll be able to play against Port Adelaide on Saturday. Ballantyne played the week after his first bout of surgery in May, which is quite unusual, playing with a plate in his jaw and performing well. However, to break his jaw twice in a season and play again the same week would be doubly unusual. Given he managed to do it last time, he might be able to convince Ross Lyon and Freo's medical team that he's right to play.”
Larkins says he’s a 50/50 chance to play.
Ballantyne’s likely replacements should he fail to play would be one of Matt de Boer and Nick Suban. Both are experienced, big-bodied players who coach Ross Lyon would back to stand up in the heat of Finals.
Lyon also confirmed star midfielder Michael Barlow would play, despite being on crutches earlier in the week.
Key defender Michael Johnson has been ruled out for the season while fellow defender Luke McPharlin appears unlikely to play.
Fremantle most recent team (v Sydney)
B Lee Spurr, Zac Dawson, Paul Duffield
HB Garrick Ibbotson, Alex Silvagni, Tendai Mzungu
C Cameron Sutcliffe, Ryan Crowley, Stephen Hill
HF Matt Taberner, Chris Mayne, Hayden Ballantyne
F Michael Walters, Matthew Pavlich, Zac Clarke
FOL Aaron Sandilands, David Mundy, Nat Fyfe
I/C Danyle Pearce, Michael Barlow, Lachie Neale
SUB Hayden Crozier
Fremantle injury list
Hayden Ballantyne – jaw (test)
Luke McPharlin – calf (1 week)
Colin Sylvia – hamstring (1-2 weeks)
Michael Johnson – back (season)
Brady Grey – back (season)
