Dougal Howard forecasts intense battle for spots in Port Adelaide’s back six

Power’s DOUGAL Howard has forecast a titanic battle for spots in Port Adelaide’s heralded backline with several star defenders coming back into the mix for this season.

BACK ON TRACK: Charlie Dixon is starting to regain full fitness after a broken leg. Picture: SARAH REED.

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DOUGAL Howard has forecast a titanic battle for spots in Port Adelaide’s heralded backline this season.

The Power’s defence was ranked fourth-best in the competition last year, conceding just 75.2 points a game, and will this season be boosted by the return of veteran playmakers Hamish Hartlett and Matthew Broadbent from injury and ace recruit Ryan Burton from Hawthorn.

Hartlett (five AFL games last year) and Broadbent (none) have enjoyed strong pre-seasons and have undeniable claims to be in Port’s best back six while Burton has been trialled as a midfielder by the Power but has played his best footy as a ball-distributing half-back.

“Who knows what the back six will be this year?,’’ Howard said after Broadbent was a standout in last Saturday’s trial match against the Crows and Hartlett looms as a chance to return from a knee reconstruction in this Saturday’s JLT Community Series clash at Port Pirie.

“We’ve got a couple of guys coming back from injury and add Ryan Burton and it’s going to be tough for a spot back there.

“That half-back spot, in particular, is going to be pretty tough to crack in to but I guess it makes it a good position for our team to be when it’s so tough for selection.

“We were strong last year and we should be even stronger this year, with such great depth.

“There’s more pressure on blokes to perform but that drives the standards more and drives better performances.’’

Howard, new co-captain Tom Jonas and Tom Clurey were Port’s main three key defenders last year, with Darcy Byrne-Jones, Dan Houston and Riley Bonner the smaller mainstays.

“We’re all pretty tight as a backs group but adding those other boys in is just going to make people play better,’’ Howard said.

Broadbent, 28, is returning from a chronic ankle/foot injury which has plagued him for two seasons.

Brad Ebert and Matthew Broadbent at training. Picture Sarah Reed

Port Adelaide Charlie Dixon back running after a broken leg