Port Adelaide have responded to their hefty defeat to Geelong last week with another shock call at the selection table, axing promising youngster Xavier Duursma.
It comes off the back of an eight-disposal game against the Cats last Friday night - with Port coach Ken Hinkley making it clear on where the 20-year old stands.
โHeโs not being restedโฆXavierโs lost his place in the side,โ Hinkley told reporters on Friday.
Xavier Duursma didn't pull out the arrow, but Ken Hinkley did! #AFLPowerFreo pic.twitter.com/qDHVIk7tJx
— AFL (@AFL) August 25, 2019
Duursmaโs omission hasnโt been the only shock call selection the Power have made this season, dropping ball magnet Tom Rockliff and promising defender Riley Bonner ahead of their Round 6 clash against the Giants earlier in the year.
Port Adelaide are also expected to drop Kane Farrell ahead of their clash with Hawthorn on Saturday.
โItโs pretty simple, itโs no different to any player. Theyโve got to play their roles well and play to a level that we know they can play it,โ
โXavier has been fantastic for us since the day he walked into the club and Kaneโs an emerging young player. Weโre really excited by both playersโ futures.โ
The Power will also be without ruckman Peter Ladhams and midfielder Dan Houston after the pair were suspended for three and two weeks respectively for breaching COVID-19 protocols during the week.
Both players entertained visitors at Ladhamsโ house after the Round 10 win over the Western Bulldogs, with the club receiving a $50,000 sanction, with half of it suspended.
โIโm incredibly disappointed, frustrated and angry,โ Hinkley said.
โThey made a mistake, they know they made a mistake and itโs an unacceptable mistake.โ
The Power are expected to recall Bonner to the team along with Justin Westhoff, Brad Ebert and Jarrod Lienert.
