Injured Port Adelaide stars Tom Rockliff and Robbie Gray poised to play against Richmond

Star Port Adelaide pair Tom Rockliff and Robbie Gray are almost certain to play in Saturday’s blockbuster against Richmond at Adelaide Oval despite sustaining heavy knocks against Brisbane.

Robbie Gray of the Power kicks a goal against Brisbane. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

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Star Port Adelaide pair Tom Rockliff and Robbie Gray are almost certain to play in Saturday’s blockbuster against Richmond at Adelaide Oval.

Power football manager Chris Davies said the key duo – hurt late in Saturday night's heartbreaking loss to Brisbane at the Gabba – had pulled up well from their heavy knocks and were expected to prove their fitness at training during the week to take on the Tigers.

Former Lion Rockliff – back to his best after a tough, injury-riddled first year at Port – was concussed after copping a heavy head knock from Hugh McCluggage in the third quarter and did not return to the field.

Port Adelaide's Tom Rockliff after copping a heavy head knock from Hugh McCluggage.

Gray came off in the final term to get attention to a sore shoulder but did return.

Davies said both players had pulled up well after the game and should prove their fitness this week to play 2017 premier Richmond, which has lost consecutive games and is without key injured bookends Alex Rance (knee) and Jack Riewoldt (wrist).

“It’s positive on both fronts,’’ Davies told The Advertiser yesterday as the team returned following a late collapse that led to the 17-point defeat – its first of the season.

“Rocky was obviously concussed but he felt fine after the game. There was an incident during the game which the doctor wanted to be cautious with and we’ll have a look at him during the week.

“Right now, I can’t see any reason why he wouldn’t be on a path to play on the weekend.’’

Tom Rockliff walked off with the assistance of the trainers after this passage.#AFLLionsPower pic.twitter.com/v6dERCXUnh

— AFL (@AFL) April 6, 2019

Davies said ball magnet Rockliff’s reconstructed right shoulder had luckily not felt the brunt of McCluggage’s hit.

“The shoulder’s fine, there’s no issues there,’’ he said. Davies said triple club champion and four-times All-Australian Gray had also pulled up well.

“Robbie copped a knock on his shoulder but we fully expect him to play against Richmond,’’ he said.

“Our doctors will have a look at him at the start of the week and make some assessment, but right now there’s no reason why Robbie won’t be playing on Saturday either.

“It was a disappointing night for us but those two guys, who might have had question marks about them, look like they are going to be available.’’

Port Adelaide’s Dan Houston hits the deck after copping a big hit at the Gabba. Picture: DAVE HUNT (AAP).

Defender Dan Houston was hurt after being crunched by a front-on Charlie Cameron bump in the first quarter but was able to play out the game.

Davies said Port had paid a heavy price for being inefficient when it had the ascendancy in the second and third quarters after giving away a four-goal start. It then lost a 10-point lead in the last five minutes.

“Clearly, we weren’t efficient enough when we had the ascendancy in the game and that’s something I'm sure the coaches will look at during the week,’’ Davies said.

“That’s something we are going to have to continue to work on. I know that it’s something the coaches have been mindful of at the start of this year, that we really maximise our scoring opportunities when we’ve got the ascendancy.

“That, ultimately, will be the test of us throughout the season, that when we have control of the game we’ve got to make sure that we put that ascendancy on the scoreboard.”