Port Adelaide needs to fix ruck issue now without Paddy Ryder

PORT Adelaide need to bring in a ruckman to replace injured Paddy Ryder, and not rely on their makeshift options, writes inaugural Adelaide Crows captain Chris McDermott.

An injured Patrick Ryder of the Power is seen on the bench during Round 1.

SOME say it’s personnel. Some say its coaching. The truth may well lie somewhere in between.

The improvement in Port Adelaide in 2018 is undeniable but so is their biggest area of vulnerability — and both must be watched closely over the next month. Their season depends on it.

At this early stage of the 2018 season the Power is handling the ball and disposing of it more often than it did in 2017, up 24 possessions per game from 379 to 403. Most of it uncontested.

Ken Hinkley’s men are winning the ball as often as ever but they are getting it to the outside more often where Steve Motlop, Jared Polec and Riley Bonner are waiting to do their thing.

They didn’t have that luxury last season. The new version of the Power is far more selective in decision-making with ball in hand.

Port Adelaide’s Paddy Ryder rucks against Fremantle’s Aaron Sandilands.

They are now making good decisions, not rushed ones.

In 2017 the Power ranked first for inside 50s. They rank eighth this year but their accuracy in front of goal is better — up from 46 per cent in 2017 to 50 per cent this year.

That improvement boosts Port from 16th on last year’s rankings to ninth currently.

Subtle changes are having significant impacts.

The Power’s improvements are obvious but their issues are just as clear, and the fallout of Paddy Ryder’s absence cannot be denied. It is their one area of concern, and it’s a big one.

Their hitouts have slumped from second to 10th and their centre clearances are down from seventh to 13th.

A strength has become a weakness and it will hurt if not rectified.

Their ability to win stoppages around the ground remains an impressive third, despite the ruck problems. It is an area that must be addressed before much longer.

The Big boys of Essendon, Todd Goldstein at the Kangaroos, Nic Natanui at West Coast and Adelaide’s Sam Jacobs are looming large in the next month.

Too large for Charlie Dixon and Justin Westhoff and too soon, most likely, for Ryder to be risked.

The Power needs a big man and they need him now.

Its options are few. Billy Frampton. and Peter Ladhams are the contenders but they are young and, more importantly, they are not ready. Neither has played a single game at AFL level. Neither is 100kg.

A dejected Paddy Ryder on the bench. Picture: SARAH REED

Frampton stands 200cm tall. At 21 he is in his fourth year with the Power and his development has been slow and steady. He is blessed with an aggressive nature and good attack on ball and body, in typical Port Adelaide fashion.

His form has been solid in the opening two games of the SANFL, returning three goals. He will not be intimidated by the big stage and, while he is not ready, he is getting closer.

Ladhams is also 200cm but a fraction lighter and having just turned 20 he plays mostly as a forward with minutes on ball to learn his craft. He is not physically ready and he is a gamble Hinkley is unlikely to take.

Ladhams might have raised an eyebrow or two after kicking three goals in the Port Adelaide Magpies’ SANFL win over Glenelg on Friday night but common sense says they must resist the temptation to play him.

Ultimately the decision will rest with Hinkley.

This may be one of the biggest decisions he has had to make in his time at Alberton.

It could make or break the Power’s season.