Port Adelaide unlikely to risk Ollie Wines, Charlie Dixon, but Hamish Hartlett a chance to return on hard Perth deck

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has revealed the Power will likely err on the side of caution with Ollie Wines and Charlie Dixon on the hard surface in Perth. But another star is a chance to make his long-awaited return.

Port Adelaide’s Charlie Dixon attempts to mark late in the last quarter against Sturt at Alberton. Picture: AAP/Dean Martin.

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Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley couldn’t be happier with the SANFL return of Charlie Dixon on Saturday, but says the club will most likely err on the side of caution and give both the 200cm forward and co-captain Ollie Wines another run with the reserves side this weekend.

Dixon, in his first game since breaking his leg 10 months ago, booted five goals and took six marks alongside Wines, who starred with 30 disposals in his return from a broken ankle in the SANFL win against Sturt.

But Hinkley said while impressing, they could both do with an extra week of conditioning, particularly given the side was travelling to Perth to play on the notoriously hard Optus Stadium surface.

Port Adelaide booted five goals in his return from a broken leg in the SANFL. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Martin

“We certainly couldn’t be happier with his return,” Hinkley said of Dixon on SEN SA Breakfast.

“But I think it would be wrong if we didn’t give Charlie another game (in the SANFL). He’s got back quite quickly from six weeks ago to where he is today. It is really exciting when you’re going to Perth and you think ‘Gee, I would be good to have the big fella there’, but there’s still another 11 weeks to go and everything’s not going to be bought and sold this weekend.

“Whether it be Perth, Marvel or Shanghai - that ground was quite firm as well - we are really mindful of (of the surface). Both boys are coming off significant leg injuries. Probably the most important factor though is whether they are conditioned enough.”

Dixon missed 10 months following a nasty leg break and ankle ligament damage against West Coast in round 21 last season.

Wines has been sidelined with a broken fibula since Port’s Round 7 loss to Collingwood at Marvel Stadium and Hinkley said it was “probably more likely than not that we’ll give him another game in the Magpies”.

Ken Hinkley’s men stunned West Coast by 42 points at Optus Stadium in Round 5. However, even Eagles coach Adam Simpson is reluctant to train on the surface following foot injuries to Willie Rioli and Tom Barrass this year.

Port's Ollie Wines breaks away from Sturt star Aidan Riley. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Martin

Power vice-captain Hamish Hartlett also featured in the star-studded Magpies SANFL side on Saturday and was the most likely of the trio to make the trip for the clash against Fremantle.

“We’re pretty keen for Hammer to come back into the team and he’s done everything we’ve wanted,” Hinkley said of Hartlett, who has battled back from a knee reconstruction and hamstring injury.

“He was probably ready to play in Shanghai but we again waited and took the cautious approach. We’ve been in pretty good form with that group of defenders and we have certainly got plenty available. But Hammer is our vice-captain and we would love to have him back out there.”

Brad Ebert will consult a neurologist in Melbourne today after missing the past four games with concussion issues. Hinkley said he would most likely feature in the SANFL if he got the all clear to resume to avoid the long trip to Perth.

Rookie Willem Drew will push for a recall following 29 touches and two goals against Sturt but it will be hard to break into a side that trounced St Kilda in Shanghai.

Todd Marshall relished his preferred role as mobile sidekick to key target Dixon against Sturt but Port assistant Matthew Lokan said the 2016 first round pick must push for an AFL recall.

“He had a really good pre-season and we know his quality. He just has to put some consistent games together and he will get back into the AFL side,” said Lokan.

Ross Lyon’s Dockers will be out to trade places with Port in eighth spot.

An update from Lynchy on his calf injury #weflyasone pic.twitter.com/QxaiWkalkc

— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) June 8, 2019

Meanwhile, Adelaide forward Tom Lynch has been ruled out of Thursday night’s clash against Richmond due to a calf strain.

Lynch withdrew from the side that toppled Greater Western Sydney on Saturday night at Adelaide Oval after injuring his calf in the pre-game warm-up.

Crows science and medical services coordinator Steve Saunders said scans had confirmed a low-level strain, which meant Lynch would miss consecutive games.

“MRI has today confirmed the initial clinical assessment, that being of a low-level calf strain involving the central aponeurosis,” Saunders said.

“Tom will be unavailable for selection this week as he commences treatment and rehabilitation. We will re-evaluate his progress at the end of the week and aim to make training progressions (to) prepare for the Geelong game after the bye.”