Port Adelaide Power

Hinkley confirms four changes as two more are ruled out, banned forward likely to return

“There is a bit going on.”

Published by
Mitch Keating

Port Adelaide will make at least four changes for Friday's game with Geelong after two more outs were confirmed by coach Ken Hinkley on Thursday.

Already set to be without captain Connor Rozee and defender Lachie Jones due to hamstring injuries, the Power coach has revealed ruckman Jordon Sweet won't make the trip east due to illness.

Wingman Jase Burgoyne will also be brought out of the side that lost to Adelaide last week as he deals with a slight groin/adductor strain.

The quartet of absences will open the door for senior and fringe players to come into Hinkley's squad, with defender Aliir Aliir locked in after exiting concussion protocols.

The loss of Sweet, coupled with Ivan Soldo's current place in the club's casualty ward with a knee injury, will mean four-gamer Dante Visentini will likely come into the side.

Forward Jeremy Finlayson is also a strong chance to be named and could aid the ruck workload Visentini will face, with the former Giant to return to the AFL after serving his three-game suspension for making a homophobic slur in Round 4.

Finlayson returned to action via the SANFL last week, collecting 20 disposals and booting four goals in a loss to Adelaide.

Young utility Josh Sinn was also among Port Adelaide's top performers in that game and is among the "probable ins" for this week's game at Kardinia Park.

"[Sweet] has a virus, so he has to miss,” Hinkley told media, via News Corp. 

"From last week's game, we will lose four players, Sweet, Rozee, Jones and Burgoyne.

"The probable ins will be Jeremy, Visentini will be there, Sinny will be there, Aliir Aliir will be back. So there is a bit going on.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 09: Jeremy Finlayson of the Power catches the ball during the warm up before the Second Qualifying Final AFL match between the Brisbane Lions and Port Adelaide Power at The Gabba, on September 09, 2023, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

"Burgoyne is a groin/adductor. He wanted to see how he was going but once he started running he knew he was no good.

"He has a slight strain. Typically, I'm getting in trouble with medical staff at the moment, he is probably only going to miss a week."

Young forward Ollie Lord is available for selection but will likely return from a pre-season knee injury through the SANFL this weekend. Veteran forward Charlie Dixon remains in the selection frame despite a scare at training earlier this week.

Port Adelaide will confirm their 23-man squad for Friday night's clash with Geelong at 6:20pm (AEST) on Thursday.

2024-05-10T09:10:00Z
GMHBA Stadium
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Published by
Mitch Keating