AFL injury news 2024: Kane Farrell ruled out for finals after high grade hamstring strain
The Power may have to turn to another youngster to run the half-back line alongside Logan Evans after Kane Farrell joined Dan Houston in being out for the season.
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Port Adelaide has been dealt another big blow in the lead-up to the finals, losing a second line-breaking defender for the season in as many weeks.
Kane Farrell followed the suspended Dan Houston in being ruled out of the Power’s flag push after scan results showed a high-grade hamstring strain.
Farrell’s hamstring injury – sustained during the Power’s win over Fremantle in Perth on Sunday – came just three days on from Houston’s failed appeal for a five-game rough-conduct ban.
Port had been hopeful Farrell might miss only the qualifying final against Geelong next Thursday night, but it confirmed his season was over on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old’s absence paves the way for another left-footed half-back flanker, Josh Sinn, to potentially come into the side.
Sinn, who last featured at AFL level against St Kilda in round 16, travelled to Perth as an emergency.
It would be somewhat ironic if a long-term injury presented an opportunity for the 21-year-old, given his own struggles to get his body right.
Sinn battled osteitis pubis during his debut campaign in 2022, suffered a season-ending hamstring problem last year and fractured his collarbone in May.
Injuries have restricted him to eight AFL matches since joining the Power via pick 12 in the 2021 national draft.
Darcy Byrne-Jones, who was an All-Australian defender in 2020 before shifting forward last year, and Dylan Williams would be other options.
The experienced Ryan Burton replaced Houston against the Dockers, while mid-season draftee Logan Evans had been a revelation in the backline since debuting two months ago, earning a Rising Star nomination for round 24.
Evans, who lined up in his 10 consecutive match on Sunday, said the entire defence had to share the load when key players were missing.
“It’s not just one person taking a massive step, it’s everyone taking a few steps forward and being able to cover the roles all together and as a cohesive group,” Evans said.
Key defender Aliir Aliir was not on the Power’s injury list despite hurting his ankle against the Dockers.
Forward Todd Marshall is available to face the Cats and will rejoin full training this week after exiting concussion protocols on Friday.
Marshall has missed his side’s past two matches.
Power midfielder Hugh Jackson (knee) is set to be sidelined for up to five weeks after sustaining a minor lateral meniscus injury at training.
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