Ken Hinkley said replacing Robbie Gray for Port’s Collingwood clash won’t be a simple one

Power coach Ken Hinkley said the selection issue facing Port Adelaide to replace star Robbie Gray won’t be a simple one with plenty of SANFL players putting their hands to play.

Ken Hinkley coach of the Port Adelaide Power during the Round 5 AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Port Adelaide Power at Optus Stadium in Perth. Picture: AAP Image/Richard Wainwright

• Power’s dept of youth

POWER coach Ken Hinkley said the selection issue of replacing star Robbie Gray won’t be a simple one.

While Steven Motlop has been widely mentioned as the likely replacement for Gray who suffered a broken hand last weekend, Hinkley said the club’s depth underneath was a huge asset as they take on one of the premiership favourites in Collingwood

“It won’t be that simple,’’ Hinkley said on SEN Radio.

“It’s more around what we think is the right balance for us and what we’re trying to achieve. It’s bigger discussion than a simple one like that

“We think we have got people who can do different things, certain players can bring some real pressure to out front half and player that can go into our midfield and add some outside run....I don’t think it’s a real simple one,’’ he said.

Hinkley said impressive form by a number of players in the SANFL would lead to plenty of discussions today as Port select their line-up for Friday night’s blockbuster.

“We’ve got really good for underneath which is encouraging for us,’’ Hinkley added.

“Motlop, (Karl) Amon, (Kane) Farrell, (Aidyn) Johnson and Pete Ladhams is in unbelievable for a tall.

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley after the round 5 victory against the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium in Perth. Picture: Richard Wainwright/AAP

“Down the other end you have (Matthew) Broadbent and people like that who all been really consistent.

“That’s the sign as a (good) footy team, depth underneath

Hinkley said the Collingwood clash offered another opportunity to get a good gauge on where his side was at early in the season.

“It’s a great opportunity for us,’’ Hinkley said.

“We look forward to the challenge, this group has been good at facing those opportunities this year,’’ he said.

Hinkley said it won’t come down to individual match-ups more matching with Collingwood who boast depth across the ground.

“The best teams have it across the field, not just in one area,’’ Hinkley said.

“Every team has got good players in all areas of the ground, it won’t be about individual players that we have to stop, it has to be our team versus their team,’’ he said.

Hinkley said one area that would play a huge factor on the outcome was the battle in the middle of the ground between star ruckmen Brodie Grundy and Power’s pair of Scott Lycett and Paddy Ryder.

“I don’t think you’ll wear him down,’’ Hinkley said of Grundy.

“The challenge for us is to throw something different at him

“Lycett and Ryder are different types of ruckmen. We’ve just got to back our two rucks against him

“Hopefully Collingwood spend as much time thinking about what Lycett and Ryder might provide,’’ he said.