Port Adelaide midfielder ruled out after Hinkley rolled the dice to take him to China

Port Adelaide midfielder Tom Rockliff has failed in his bid to overcome a hamstring injury and play against St Kilda in China.

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TOM Rockliff won’t play in China.

The star Port Adelaide midfielder was put through his paces in a fitness test at Jiangwan Stadium in Shanghai on Thursday but the hamstring complaint that he sustained last weekend has proved too much to bear.

“He’s come over, but he’s just not quite right,” coach Ken Hinkley said.

“We gave him every possible chance to come up but there comes a time where you make a decision and that’s today and Tom’s not going to play.”

Will he or won't he? @PAFC star Tom Rockliff working away from the main group as Port trains at Jiangwan Stadium.|

Nervous, #SuperCoaches?#AFLSaintsPower
🎥 - @LaurenHeraldSun pic.twitter.com/HsLx6UiK2a

— SuperCoach AFL (@Supercoach) May 30, 2019

He had iced his hamstring following the Power’s loss to Hawthorn last Saturday and was cleared of any damage earlier this week.

Rockliff engaged in running and kicking drills away from the main group before watching on - clearly disappointed - as the Power completed some match simulation.

Hinkley said the Power had considered leaving the veteran at home, but despite the lengthy journey, said it had been worth giving him a chance.

“We certainly did, but he ran well on Monday and he’s too good a player not to give that opportunity to,” he said.

“I know it’s a long way to go, but from a club point of view we have to be prepared to take every opportunity we can to have our best players out there.”

Port Adelaide’s Tom Rockliff leaves the field injured against Hawthorn at University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty

Ryan Burton (hamstring) and Scott Lycett (adductor) have both been confirmed to play.

Port Adelaide has played Gold Coast in Shanghai over the last two years, but Hinkley said Sunday’s clash with St Kilda - which is also 5-5 - had the most at stake of any of what will be three outings in China.

“We all understand the importance of the game, and just that we get to bring such a big game to Shanghai ... we probably haven’t had as big a drawing card as far as where both sides are on the ladder,” he said.

“No disrespect to the Gold Coast, but we’re here now with both teams 5-5, season really alive and fighting for a fair bit.”