Jordon Sweet on seizing opportunity as Port Adelaide’s No. 1 ruckman after Ivan Soldo injury

Jordon Sweet’s opportunity to lead Port Adelaide’s ruck division came about through misfortune. Now he plans to turn that into his own good luck and stake a claim to be Ken Hinkley’s main man.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 26: Jordon Sweet of the Power gets a Gatorade shower during the 2024 AFL Round 07 match between the Port Adelaide Power and the St Kilda Saints at Adelaide Oval on April 26, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Ruckman Jordon Sweet has revealed he was dropped and recalled within a rollercoaster hour two days before playing a crucial role in Port Adelaide’s gritty home win over St Kilda.

After making his club debut last week, Sweet was told on Wednesday that he would be an emergency versus St Kilda because of Charlie Dixon’s return to the side.

But that changed when fellow big man Ivan Soldo was unable to get through a morning running session due to a knee injury that was expected to rule him out for a month.

In his 13th AFL game across six seasons, ex-Western Bulldog Sweet performed well in Port’s 10-point triumph on Friday night, recording the highest Champion Data ranking score (136) of any player on the ground.

“It was a weird experience on Wednesday morning,” Sweet told this masthead.

“I see Kenny (coach Ken Hinkley), get told I’m an emergency, then halfway through training I was a sniff to play and two minutes later he came out and told me I was playing.

“So it was a rollercoaster morning … all within half an hour.”

Jordon Sweet enjoys his first win as a Port player. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Soldo likely being sidelined for four to five weeks opens the door for Sweet to do what he has long craved — be a No. 1 ruckman.

Rookie-listed by the Bulldogs after winning the 2018 SANFL flag with North Adelaide, Sweet was stuck behind All-Australian Tim English at Whitten Oval for five years.

The Power recruit had to wait until his third season to play his first AFL game and never featured in five consecutive matches at the Kennel.

He said this year had been a tougher mental battle because each week he was unsure if he would be selected, whereas at the Bulldogs he knew he would not be most games.

“I’ve had to stay positive and know my time was going to come,” said Sweet, who was traded to the Power for pick 50 in October.

“Soldo’s done a really good job so far.

“Hopefully I can take this opportunity with both hands.”

Sweet rucks against Anthony Caminiti. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

It had been 645 days between AFL games for Sweet when he played against Collingwood last week.

His family went to the MCG on what he described as a really important day for him after such a long time out of the side.

But a strong start turned sour as Port coughed up a six-goal lead, Sweet was subbed off during the second half and the visitors lost the match by 42 points.

In the wake of Soldo’s injury, Hinkley pumped Sweet up last week, saying the reigning VFL Team of the Year ruckman was “too good” for the level below.

Something to which Sweet agreed: “If I was to be cocky, I’d say ‘yes’.”

Sweet during a rare AFL appearance for the Bulldogs. Picture: Martin Keep/Getty Images

On Friday night, the long-time state league star was sore and soaked in Gatorade in the change rooms, relishing his first Power win on a night it was limited to two rotations due to three injuries.

Sweet praised ruck coach Matthew Lobbe for his guidance on how to nullify Saints star Rown Marshall and lauded his teammates for their efforts.

“It was really courageous win by us,” he said.

“I was out on my feet.

“I was cramping in both calves and was cramping in my adductors during the victory lap at the end, so I was struggling to get off the field.

“There was a contest late in the quarter where three of us went to ground and we were all cramping, St Kilda boys were cramping.

“It was a battle.”

The Power now turns its attention to Thursday night’s game against the Crows.

Sweet grew up as a Port fan and went to two Showdowns.

“I wasn’t really fortunate to get to many games, we weren’t that well off,” he said.

“To be playing in it is bloody huge.”