Ollie Wines, Brad Ebert and Charlie Dixon in line for Power recall after impressive SANFL form
The impressive SANFL form of an experienced Port Adelaide trio has put it in the frame for a Power recall, according to assistant coach Michael Voss.
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The impressive SANFL form of an experienced Port Adelaide trio has put it in the frame for a Power recall, according to assistant coach Michael Voss.
Ollie Wines starred with 38 disposals in the Magpies’ win over Norwood on Sunday, while Brad Ebert (22) and Charlie Dixon (three goals) also shone in the commanding success.
Voss praised the performances in the state league side, a day after the Power suffered a final-quarter fade out to fall to a 21-point defeat to Fremantle in the west.
“They were all pretty strong,” Voss told SEN on Monday morning.
“So it’s going to be a good conversation in the match committee selection, that’s for sure.
“They are all certainly putting their hand up.
“There’s a couple of other guys like Willem Drew and (Joel) Garner, who’s been playing really well, and you can’t leave (Peter) Ladhams out of that conversation as well.
“They’re all playing really good footy. It’s a good problem to have.
“We’re hoping obviously with the injection of these guys they just bring a fresh bundle of energy for us and they’re obviously pretty important players for us.”
Wines and Ebert last featured for the Power in round seven, while Dixon was yet to make an AFL appearance this season as he continued his comeback from a leg fracture.
Their presence was missed as Port coughed up a one-point lead over the Dockers at the last change to be held scoreless in the fourth period and slip out of the eight.
But Voss refused to pin the blame on tall Paddy Ryder, who was limited to seven touches in a more advanced forward role.
“I don’t think he’s certainly ever going to be a high possession winner,” said Voss, of 197cm Ryder.
“But he certainly can deliver some impact for us.
“He’s making some adjustments to his game based on that he’s playing in a different part of the ground.
“He’s been an All-Australian ruckman and we’re asking him to play forward.
“Certainly when that combination has been pretty strong for us through our games, it’s been a really big weapon for us.
“It’s something we’ve got to continue to forge with.
“Paddy when goes forward, he has a great presence, he finishes really well.
“We clearly want the ball in his hands.”
Voss said the Power’s display against Fremantle was high in effort, but lacked polish in key moments.
He backed his charges to respond when they hosted ladder-leader Geelong at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
“It’s the execution in the big moments that you need to be able to get done,” the three-time Brisbane premiership captain said.
“We also need to have composure with the ball in our hands and use it all the way through to give ourselves a shot of scoring.”
“We’re playing pretty much the best team in the competition right now.
“We understand the challenges in front of us (and) we can’t ignore it.
“But it’s a really big game to look forward to and these are the ones you want to play in.”