Port Adelaide forward Gemma Houghton will be forced to watch on from the sidelines for at least the next six weeks after suffering a syndesmosis injury in Round 2.
Houghton, who joined expansion club Port from Fremantle over the off-season, suffered the injury during the Power's 19-point loss to the Western Bulldogs. The 28-year-old marquee forward was the only Port player to kick a goal throughout the Saturday afternoon affair.
The injury, which occurred in the second term, required Houghton to undergo surgery, leaving her on the sidelines for around six to seven weeks.
The two-time All Australian's absence will be a big blow to the Power, with her scoring abilities a valuable asset to the Port side. Since her debut for the Dockers in 2017, Houghton has kicked 42 goals across 48 matches.
Houghton joins the growing list of injuries around the competition just two weeks into the ten round home and away season.
Bulldog Britney Gutknecht suffered a nasty leg injury in the clash against the Power, while St Kilda's win over Hawthorn ended with three players on crutches, with two ACL injuries confirmed to Jayde Van Dyk and Tamara Luke, while Louise Stephenson suffered a fractured ankle.
At Alberton, Houghton joins Britt Perry (ankle) and Litonya Cockatoo-Motlop (finger) on the injury list. Both Perry and Cockatoo-Motlop are expected to be available for selection in the coming weeks.
