Port Adelaide defender Matthew Broadbent will finally return to the SANFL

Port Adelaide defender Matthew Broadbent will take his first steps towards returning to the AFL when he plays for the Magpies in the SANFL

Matthew Broadbent makes a return to training after a lengthy injury - shakes the hand of Ollie Wines who has re-signed with the club for a further four years. Picture Sarah Reed

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Forgotten Port Adelaide defender Matthew Broadbent may finally return

to football via the SANFL this weekend.

Broadbent has not played AFL since Round 19 last year and has been

sidelined from all levels this season while recovering from a serious

ankle injury.

Power assistant coach Matthew Nicks said Broadbent was a chance to

return to footy with the Magpies this weekend but may need more

training.

“Broady is making sure he’s right to play at any level,” Nicks said.

“We just want to make sure we don’t rush him.

“He was back out at training last week and the boys enjoyed it because

we haven’t seen him for an extended period.

“Possibly he’ll play SANFL this week. He’s got a couple of sessions to

go through and by no means will he rush that.”

After winning five of their past six games the Power is suddenly

staring at a top four finish if it can maintain its form in the run

home.

“It’s always a better place when we win, and an unusual way to win

(over Melbourne on Friday night) against a real high quality side that

touched us up a little between the arcs and around the football,”

Nicks said.

“So we were stoked to get the win, we thought our guys showed some

grit and our back six were outstanding.”

Jack Watts was best-on for the Magpies in the SANFL last week but they

had the bye on the weekend meaning he may have to push his claim for

senior selection again.

“Coming off a solid win and the way Lindsay Thomas performed forward

of the ball, Westy has been playing a bit there of late and an

important role,” Nicks said.

“Jack coming off a bye we’d like to see him perform again at SANFL

level but we’ll definitely have his name up for selection this week

and if we decide to go that way it will be we feel he makes our side

better.”

The Power plays Carlton at the MCG on Saturday.