PORT ADELAIDE coach Ken Hinkley has confirmed Sam Mayes will make his club debut against Carlton on Sunday.
Mayes arrived at Alberton in the 2018 trade period after 101 games for Brisbane.
The 26-year-old has been forced to bide his time to get a chance to feature at AFL level again but Hinkley confirmed on Friday morning he would be playing against the Blues.
“That will be a really good story for us. He’s had a couple of years since he’s played some AFL football and it’s exciting to know that he’s had to work really really hard and he’s earned his opportunity,” Hinkley said.
“We know that Sam’s one of those blokes that’s got a bit of flexibility about him.
“It’s been really challenging at times but he’s maintained a motivation and he’s just wanted to be a part and get a chance to be a part, and not just in the pre-season games, which he played earlier on in the year.
“Good on him. He’s persisted, he’s made his way into the team and he’ll give everything he’s got to stay there.”
Hinkley said Mayes’s reaction was almost that of an AFL debutant when he was told he would finally be getting a game.
“Because it’s been so hard for him to get that opportunity, he certainly emotionally embraced that moment and it’s a really good story for him,” the coach explained.
“And, funnily enough (the game) is at the Gabba.”
Mayes can play through the midfield, but also spent time with the Lions on the wing, across half forward or half back.
Another who is likely to come into the side is wingman Xavier Duursma who will need to pull up well from Friday’s training to prove he has overcome a hamstring injury, which has kept him out of the last three games.
As for Carlton, Hinkley said he had been impressed with the way the Melbourne club had gone about its football since late last season.
But he said Port Adelaide would embrace the challenge of flying up to Brisbane on a red-eye flight to take on one of the competition’s up and coming sides.
“They’ve been in really good form. They’re in the top eight, their form last week was obviously first class and we’re not surprised by what they’re doing,” Hinkley said.
“By the back end of last season, they were playing some really strong footy. They’re a side that are emerging. In their own words they’re starting to get where they want to go and it’s going to be a great challenged for us as well.
“They’re sitting up there (in Queensland) waiting for us and we’ve got to be ready to go.”
Port’s 26-man squad named on Thursday evening will be trimmed to 22 on Friday afternoon, and Hinkley said there could be two to three changes to cover for the loss of the suspended Brad Ebert and injured Cam Sutcliffe.
He also revealed those not selected would play a trial game against Adelaide this weekend.
“Every club in the competition would be looking at (the season) from a squad mentality and you need to have a squad available to play,” Hinkley said.
“I think that’s been one of the challenges for everyone thus far this year, that how do we get those guys prepared and that’s why we’re at the space right now where we’re managing what we can to have people as prepared as they can.
“We’ve got a pretty healthy squad at the moment so we’re excited about the opportunities for those people.”
