DIXON BREAKS HIS LEG
JACK Watts is carrying the burden as a prime forward again – a theme he hoped to avoid in leaving Melbourne for a new AFL start at Port Adelaide this year.
The Power has confirmed key Cairns junior Charlie Dixon will miss the rest of the season with a broken right leg rather than an ankle sprain, leaving coach Ken Hinkley to build a new-look attack around Watts and Justin Westhoff. Or just Watts, if Westhoff is drawn into ruck roles as All-Australian Patrick Ryder remains at risk with a recurring hip strain.
Power medical chief Tim O’Leary confirmed the extent of Dixon’s injury yesterday.
“Charlie has suffered a fractured right fibula (in landing from a marking contest) which will require surgery,” he said. “He won’t play again this year.”
Port Adelaide (12-8) will be forced to reconsider all options for Saturday’s clash with finals rival Collingwood at the MCG.
Ryder (hip) is to be tested this week, putting untried ruckman Billy Frampton on notice for his long-awaited AFL call-up.
Young defender Dan Houston (neck) has been cleared of any concussion concern and was released from hospital on Saturday evening.
Riley Bonner and Jack Hombsch can be recalled, depending on how Hinkley and defence coach Nathan Bassett wish to deal with the Magpies’ forwards.
Midfielder Tom Rockliff (shoulder) also is a concern and Sam Powell-Pepper could be recalled, despite having no SANFL game at the weekend, to deliver grunt.
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley is compelled to be creative in selections, as he was last week with his recall of young forward Aidyn Johnson to counter West Coast defender Jeremy McGovern.
And he expects to find more novel edges to his line-up to test the Magpies’ abilities
“We have to manipulate our side as best we can,” Hinkley said. “Watts, Westhoff play as talls in the forward line; they are not Charlie Dixon types.
“But we’ll mix and match – and give Collingwood a different look. They won’t know what we are bringing.”
Watts has played 17 of a possible 21 games for the Power at half-forward. He has kicked 17.8 with the highest return of three goals three times – against Fremantle (Round 1), Essendon (4) and Hawthorn (11).
Watts’ best game – by scoreboard measures – was the six goals he kicked in the summer Showdown with the Crows at Alberton Oval where he thrived as main man in attack.
Port Adelaide must win both remaining home-andaway games against Collingwood and Essendon (Adelaide Oval) to score the 14 wins to secure a top-eight berth.
“Most people will try to write us off,” Hinkley said. “We’re not (giving up). “There is so much to play for.”