Injured pair Ryan Burton and Jack Watts back in training at Port Adelaide as the Power inches closer towards finals
Ryan Burton will push his selection case this week and Jack Watts has resumed running, with the duo to offer some depth and x-factor to Port Adelaide’s halfback line as it eyes finals.
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Ryan Burton and Jack Watts have resumed running and will give Port Adelaide added depth and even some x-factor across halfback as it edges closer to finals.
Burton hasn’t played since injuring his hamstring in the Round 17 loss to Brisbane but trained strongly last week including competitive work during the captain’s run at Adelaide Oval on Friday.
It was initially feared he may miss 4-6 weeks but is tracking better than expected and is set to push his case for selection this week.
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“It’s a hard one but we expect that he’ll close the gap pretty close to next week,” coach Ken Hinkley said before Port’s win over Sydney.
“But whether he gets up or not we’ll have to wait and see.”
It was the second time this season Burton injured his hamstring after he strained it in the opening minutes of the Round 8 Showdown and missed a fortnight of footy.
On Monday assistant coach Brett Montgomery said Burton was “every chance” to play this weekend.
“He had a great training week last week that suggests he will launch himself into this week with no hurdles,” Montgomery said.
“So we will see him train fully on Wednesday, look I’d expect he would play (and) no I don’t think so (that he plays SANFL) … if he is fully fit he will certainly give us an interesting conversation at match selection but I think he would play.”
Watts, meanwhile, started running two weeks ago after badly breaking his leg and ankle against Carlton in Round 2.
He was also doing ball work and goal kicking at Adelaide Oval but isn’t expected to be available for selection unless the Power plays finals.
Port Adelaide is hitting form at the right time of the year as it hunts for eighth spot on the ladder and its list is largely fit and healthy with minimal injuries.
Brad Ebert (knee) is the only other first-choice player currently sidelined with his knee injury expected to keep him out for another 4-6 weeks.
Power co-captain Tom Jonas told The Lowdown Podcast the club was in an “interesting space” in terms of selection pressure.
“I think Burto might be available, I’m not sure Wattsy is as close having had a bit longer lay-off, and the form in the Magpies with Scotty Lycett having 28 (disposals), Drewy (Willem Drew) 38 and Mots kicking five, there is plenty of pressure for spots which is a good thing at this time of year.”
reece.homfray@news.com.au