Rockliff called in to boost Power

TOM Rockliff will be recalled to boost a Port Adelaide midfield faced with curtailing the influence of star Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn on Thursday night.

Rockliff has missed the past three games since being omitted but is set to get another chance at the Gabba on the back of strong trial game form.

Defender Jarrod Lienert will also come into the side, at the expense of Todd Marshall (broken thumb) and Riley Bonner (hip).

Port had been hopeful firstchoice ruckman Scott Lycett (knee) would be available to take on Gawn, but Power coach Ken Hinkley said he was not ready and should play on Monday.

Hinkley said Rockliff’s experience would be valuable on the ball, where the coach was confident Peter Ladhams would take it up to the Demons captain — five days after St Kilda big men Paddy Ryder and Rowan Marshall overwhelmed the Power in ruck contests in a 29-point win.

Gawn is a three-time AllAustralian and leads the league in hit-outs to advantage this season, while 22-year-old Ladhams is preparing for his eighth game.

“I’m sure that’ll be a real challenge for Pete, but one we’re really confident in,” said Hinkley, who all but ruled out Charlie Dixon spending much time in the ruck on Thursday.

“He’s learning every time he plays.

“(Rockliff) will certainly be handy (in midfield) but we’d like to think Pete would’ve learned a lot from last week, too.

The clash against Melbourne is the start of four games in 16 days for the Power, during a league-wide period of fixture congestion.