AFL 2023: Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has backed Sam Hayes to take on Jarrod Witts

He’s out-of-contract and hasn’t played since Round 11 last year – but could Victorian ruckman Sam Hayes make a late play for a new deal? His coach has backed him this weekend.

Port Adelaide senior coach Ken Hinkley says he is confident ruckman Sam Hayes has what it takes to take on Gold Coast co-captain Jarrod Witts.

Hayes has been the forgotten man at Alberton when it comes to the Power’s ruck stocks with fellow big men Scott Lycett, Brynn Teakle and Dante Visentini all playing an AFL game more recently than him.

The 24-year-old played seven games for the Power at AFL level last year but the last of these came in Round 11, when Hinkley decided to opt with Jeremy Finlayson and Charlie Dixon rather than a recognised ruckman.

But with Lycett out with a knee injury, joining Teakle on the sidelines, and Visentini perhaps too young and lightweight to take on Witts, Hayes has another chance at AFL level at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.

Sam Hayes will feature at AFL level for the first time this year on Saturday. Picture: Michael Klein

“I think Sam has been playing at a really high level at SANFL level and we think he is the best equipped of our rucks to go up against a really tough ruckman in Witts,” Hinkley said.

“So we have faith in Sam, he has worked really hard every game to give himself an opportunity to return and this is one that he deserves.

“We are about to find out, that is the challenge for Sam whether the game stretches him or not against a high quality ruckman.

“I think he is ready to have a go at it and I am really optimistic around what he can do.

“I’m really looking forward to what he can do.”

Hayes impressed with his tap-work at AFL level last year but there were questions about his ability to cover the ground.

Hinkley said the tap-work would be vital against Witts.

“I think this week we are bringing him particularly with the opposition ruckman who has such a long reach and we are hoping we can nullify this,” he said.

“But out of our rucks, and that’s Scooter (Lycett) as well, Sam would have the nicest hand of the throw-in or ball up, and that gives our mids a good look at it.”

Hinkley said he expected Lycett to return next week.

Ken Hinkley expects Scott Lycett to return next week. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Lachie Jones also returns after missing three games with a broken jaw, while Junior Rioli is back after missing the last game through personal reasons.

Xavier Duursma remains in the SANFL but Hinkley was confident he would find his way back into the Power side saying “we are optimistic around our best team and I think it has Xavier in it”.

The Suns come into the game after a week in which they were forced to quash speculation that senior coach Stuart Dew was facing the axe.

Hinkley said he was already wary of the Suns, who are still pushing for a maiden finals appearance.

“Everyone talks around the word connection now in football and there is something in that, you don’t work together like we do for that many hours of the year and not have a real connection,” he said.

“And you do feel for anyone who is put under unfair pressure.

“Whether that is a coach, an administrator or a player at your football club that is what you do.”