All the Port Adelaide news ahead of Round 17, 2021

Zak Butters is ready to go, surprising Ken Hinkley and the Port Adelaide medical staff with his lightning-fast powers of rejuvenation.

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley says the club has been surprised at how quickly Zak Butters has returned from surgery and he is a week ahead of expectation.

On Wednesday, Hinkley confirmed Butters would play his first game since April 9 by lining up in Thursday night’s home blockbuster against Melbourne.

The 20-year-old, who sustained an ankle syndesmosis injury against Richmond in Round 4 then had surgery in May to release a nerve issue around his left knee, impressed Power coaches in his comeback game in the SANFL last Saturday.

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Zak Butters will play for Port this round, having missed the past three months of footy. Picture: Sarah Reed

He kicked two goals and had 21 disposals in the Magpies’ win against Central District.

Butters comes in for Kane Farrell, who is out long-term after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury in Saturday night’s victory over Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium.

Port Adelaide’s other change is defender Tom Clurey returning from almost two months on the sidelines with a broken jaw to replace Riley Bonner (omitted).

“It’s hard to predict with injuries sometimes,” Hinkley said of Butters, who the club listed without a return date before his return via the SANFL.

“Zak’s was always around when he was getting decent movement and feeling back in his ankle and foot, as soon as that happened, we thought it was going to be quick.

“It’s probably a week ahead of where I thought it was going to be.

“It surprised us.

“The expectation is Zak will be good for us back in the team, but he’ll get better as each week goes.”

Just as the Power is surprised at Butters’ swift recovery, it is frustrated at Orazio Fantasia’s prolonged time on the sidelines.

Recovery has been slow-going for Orazio Fantasia. Picture: Sarah Reed

More than a month after Fantasia had minor surgery on his left knee, Hinkley said the ex-Essendon goalsneak remained a week-to-week proposition and was being managed because he had not responded to his procedure the way the club hoped.

“It’s a frustrating one for us as it is for him,” he said.

“He’s seen the surgeons again this week to make sure we’re on track.

“We think it’s still probably two, three weeks, but it might be longer.”

Fantasia battled injuries in his last three seasons at Essendon, featuring in 13, 15 and five games respectively from 2018-20.

He had booted 19 goals from 10 matches for the Power before his surgery.

Hinkley said star midfielder Travis Boak had also been managed this week and the results of his hamstring scan on Monday were OK.

“He’s a pro at managing his body and he knows when he’s not quite been perfect,” he said.

Hinkley said unlike Butters, Xavier Duursma might require more than one game in the SANFL before AFL selection because his soft-tissue injuries had been a concern.

Duursma, who is returning via the Magpies on Saturday, has not featured since hyperextending his right knee against Richmond and undergoing surgery.

“We’ll be a little bit more mindful of what type of numbers he’s producing and how he goes in the game as well,” Hinkley said.

Hinkley said the club seriously considered recalling Peter Ladhams to help Scott Lycett combat ruckmen Max Gawn and Luke Jackson, but opted to stick with its forward structure.

Port Adelaide is hoping a packed Adelaide Oval will aid its quest to defeat the Demons. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

POWER BANKS ON CROWD SURGE IN ADELAIDE OVAL BLOCKBUSTER

Port Adelaide is hoping for a big crowd against Melbourne after the approval of full capacity for its home blockbuster on Thursday night.

SA Health on Tuesday agreed to increase the maximum attendance at Adelaide Oval from 25,000 to 50,000, in line with the easing of Covid-19 restrictions across the state.

The ground’s capacity was reduced for last Saturday’s Crows-Brisbane match due to five new cases being recorded in Adelaide earlier in the week.

From Thursday night, the oval will return to a Covid management plan that includes the entire crowd being seated, fans being allowed to sit in the first two rows and pods of supporters on the northern mound.

The increased capacity is a boost for the Power ahead of a game that is crucial to the two premiership contenders’ top-four hopes.

Port Adelaide is fourth on the ladder with an 11-4 record – one win and 4.1 per cent behind the second-placed Demons.

Power chief executive Matthew Richardson said the club was very pleased about the announcement.

“It’s a great result for our members and supporters who have stuck by our club through the uncertainty of Covid,” Richardson said.

“It’s school holidays, the forecast looks good and it’s a top-four clash with plenty on the line, so we look forward to our members and supporters coming out in force.

The Power will be able to thank a capacity crowd if they turn out to Adelaide Oval in force. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

“We thank SA Health and the State Government for their ongoing support in ensuring AFL fixtures here in Adelaide have continued with relative normality this season.”

Oval officials approached government authorities in recent days, seeking to raise the capacity after the relaxing of other restrictions, and a decision was made on Tuesday morning.

As part of the ground’s Covid plan, there will be a two-row buffer of empty seats around the player races, the pods on the northern mound will have no more than three patrons per 4sq m and vertical consumption is allowed in QR-coded corporate and function areas with the same density limit.

Mask-wearing remains mandatory for entering, leaving and moving around the ground.

Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority chief operating officer Adam Vonthethoff said the organisation looked forward to having more fans back for what should be a huge game.

“That we continue to navigate these changes is a testament to our great relationship with SA Health and SAPOL, the hard work of our entire team and the ongoing compliance of South Australian footy fans,” Vonthethoff said.

“We’re grateful to everyone for playing their part.”

The Power’s biggest home crowd this season is 43,069 for the Showdown in May, while 33,742 against Richmond in Round 4 is its largest for a clash with an interstate side.

Tickets for Thursday night’s match went on sale on Tuesday afternoon.