PORT’S HIGH HOPES
Power to rotate trio of rucks against Cats
PORT Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley says he will again look to employ a three-pronged ruck attack against Geelong in order to cover the loss of big man Paddy Ryder.
With Ryder still recovering from an achilles injury, Dougal Howard, Justin Westhoff and Charlie Dixon appear set to share the duties against the Cats in the absence of the 2017 All-Australian. The trio rotated through the ruck in last Sunday’s 22-point loss to Essendon and were beaten soundly by Tom Bellchambers.
With Geelong likely to use Mark Blicavs in defence, it will be relying on Rhys Stanley to carry the load on Saturday night, with some assistance set to be provided by emerging forward Esava Ratugolea.
Zac Smith was again left out of the side and will instead look to find form via the VFL, a luxury Hinkley would thoroughly appreciate.
The former Geelong assistant said while the Cats had their own issues in the ruck, his three big men had been preparing to play there throughout the week, but would not confirm who would begin in the centre square.
“They (Geelong) have probably battled with that a little bit but that’s Chris’s battle, not mine,” Hinkley said.
“I probably can’t tell you (who will start in the ruck) but Dougall will be in there at some stage, Westy will be at some stage and probably Charlie will be at some stage.
“They do spend their whole week, all of them, doing a bit of preparation in the ruck.
“So if we can get on top early in the midfield, both teams generate a lot of their opportunities from stoppages.”
Last year, Port Adelaide ranked first in points differential (+9.7) from stoppages. But between Rounds 2 and 4 this season without Ryder the Power went -9.7, ranking them 17th.
Stanley was much better in his return game against St Kilda last week after being comprehensively beaten by Ben McEvoy in Geelong’s Easter Monday loss to Hawthorn in Round 2.
He had Tom Hickey’s measure, albeit slightly, and with Smith performing strongly in the VFL he will again be seeking to claim the points in the middle as he aims to consolidate his position in the side.