Port Adelaide have confirmed a trio of injury setbacks from Saturday's win over Richmond, with key forward recruit Jack Lukosius among those facing stints on the sidelines at Alberton.
Lukosius came from the field in the opening minute of the Power's 72-point victory over the Tigers at Adelaide Oval, with a suspected knee knock the cause of his concerns.
The Power eventually subbed the former Suns tall out of the contest, with scans since revealing Lukosius has sustained a fractured kneecap.
Lukosius will undergo surgery this week and faces an uncertain return timeline in what was one of several blows for the Power from the weekend's result.
Coach Ken Hinkley will also be without defensive pair Ryan Burton (hip) and Lachie Jones (adductor) for Thursday's game against Essendon at the very least.
Like Lukosius, Burton has been set an unclear return date, while Jones is facing up to two weeks on the sidelines.
To make matters worse, the Power are a chance to be without fringe key forward Ollie Lord, who suffered a shoulder injury over the weekend in a SANFL trial game.
Lord, who would likely be Lukosius' replacement, will be a test for Round 3 when the Power travel to Marvel Stadium to face Essendon.
Young forward Jed McEntee was unable to suit up in the same trial game due to a hamstring concern that also has him in doubt for selection this week.
Star midfielder Zak Butters remains up to a month away with his knee injury, while small forward Tom Anastasopoulos faces a similar timeframe with his knee injury.
Key defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher is 5-7 weeks away with his back injury.
Port Adelaide and Essendon will meet on Thursday night at 7:30pm (AEDT), with the latter still chasing their first win of 2025.
