Ken Hinkley’s changes to the Power team is primed to deliver after win over AFL leader Geelong

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley gambled in his 150th AFL game with a major refit of the Power line-up — and the pay-off could send the Power back to finals action in September.

West Coast premiership ruckman Scott Lycett has taken command of the No. 1 ruck role at Port Adelaide after his best-on-ground performance against AFL league leader Geelong at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night. Picture: Kelly Barnes.

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• Houston solves another problem for Power

Ken Hinkley is sure of his latest refit of the Port Adelaide team to the point star recruits such as former Brisbane captain Tom Rockliff will need to prove themselves in the SANFL to earn an AFL recall.

The same applies to 2018 club champion Justin Westhoff, who appears to have lost his critical swingman role to Dougal Howard. And to 2017 John Cahill Medallist Patrick Ryder who has been overtaken as Port Adelaide’s No. 1 ruckman by West Coast recruit Scott Lycett.

Reputations — and “credit points” — are less powerful at Alberton today as Hinkley seeks to end the Power’s inconsistent results by backing in players who are proven by form, results and confidence.

Scott Lycett of the Power thanks fans after the round 14 win over Geelong at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Getty Images

Hinkley’s brave realignment of his team — in particular in the midfield where co-captain Ollie Wines has returned to a wing — paid off in his 150th AFL game as Port Adelaide coach with the much-valued scalp of AFL leader Geelong at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.

At 7-6 — and back in the AFL top eight — Port Adelaide is back in contention for a return to September’s AFL finals … and Hinkley is on sounder ground to continue his restructure of the team set-up.

“We’ve needed to be more flexible in our thinking (at selection),” Hinkley said. “If you are in good form; if they are good players — they deserve to be in the team.

“We’re developing as a side; we’re still learning a lot about each other. There are a number of new people in the side … and there is a fair bit of newness about us still. We’d like to think we only get better.”

Rockliff has recovered from the hamstring strain suffered in the loss to Hawthorn at Launceston four weeks ago. But he no longer is guaranteed an instant return to the AFL line-up, particularly after Hinkley has — in his words — seamlessly moved Dan Houston from defence to the midfield.

“ ‘Rock’ should get back into some good form (in the SANFL) — as we did with Ollie (Wines) and Brad (Ebert),” Hinkley said. “Our method now is to get you in better touch (in the SANFL) so it gives you a better chance to succeed (in the AFL). That is pretty simple.”

Port Adelaide’s Travis Boak gives the thumbs up as he walks back into the rooms with Dougal Howard after the win on Saturday night. Picture: Sarah Reed

There is now greater doubt on how Ryder and Westhoff return to the AFL, particularly after Lycett’s best-on-ground display with 41 hit-outs and 18 contested possessions against the Cats.

“I still have great faith and belief in the players we left out,” Hinkley said. “I’m sure they will all respond. I’m sure they will all get their spots back in the side.

“It was good to see Scott play as he did, but our plan all year is still to have one ruckman — and another who can play forward and chop out in the ruck.”
Howard appears the better option as the “chop-out” ruckman working in attack in a tandem with 200cm key forward Charlie Dixon.

“Right now, Dougal is playing a significant role for us (in attack),” Hinkley said. “But you have to still play consistently well — that is the challenge. And there will be players ready to take your spot if you are not playing well.”

Port Adelaide’s search for consecutive wins for the first time since Round 6 turns to the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.

Houston told The Advertiser the Power is “in a good spot” with nine home-and-away games to play — six at Adelaide Oval.

“We’ve shown we can compete against the teams ranked above us (West Coast and Geelong),” Houston said. “Now we have to find consistency, particularly against the teams in the same spot as us. That would give us a really good chance.”