PORT ADELAIDE defender Darcy Byrne-Jones says he’s happy he will get to run out for his 100th AFL game on Saturday alongside Sam Powell-Pepper, after the midfielder successfully challenged a ban for rough conduct.
Powell-Pepper was suspended for one match for what was deemed a dangerous tackle by the Match Review Officer, only to have the ban overturned by the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday night.
Byrne-Jones will reach his century milestone at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday and says Powell-Pepper’s availability will make the side better.
“He was one of our best players on the weekend so it’s important to have him in again,” Byrne-Jones said at a press conference on Wednesday.
“In the end it was a good decision by the tribunal and one that we’re definitely happy about.
“The way he’s playing, he’s really important for us at the moment.
“Personally, I thought he didn’t pin the arms, he went straight through him. That’s the way Pepp plays and we love how he plays.
“If he’s tackling like that and with that intent, it makes us a better side.”
Geelong’s Luke Dahlhaus also managed to have his tackling ban downgraded to a fine on Tuesday night, causing some to question whether there is now confusion around what is a legal tackle and what is not.
But Byrne-Jones said the players are pretty clear.
“I think there’s definitely an onus on the person tackling to protect the head,” he explained.
“With all the concussions and all the head injuries, there’s definitely an onus on the players to protect the head and that’s pretty clear cut.”
As well as Powell-Pepper, Port could have a trio of young stars back in the side after recovering from respective injuries.
Connor Rozee, Ryan Burton and Todd Marshall are each pushing their claims to return on Saturday.
Byrne-Jones said the fitness of the overall list was good and that meant more competition for spots, and pressure to perform, which was important in the business end of the season.
“It’s exciting so hopefully Connor and Burto and Todd can come back in the next couple of weeks,” he said.
“They’re really important players for us… and hopefully we can take our game to another level.
“With guys coming back from injury, the competition for spots and the training standard does definitely go up.”
Port Adelaide won’t name its side to tackle the Swans until Friday evening.
