Port Adelaide’s Tom Rockliff declares his fitness for battle with Richmond on Saturday

Port Adelaide star Tom Rockliff says he has felt no ill effects of his concussion and expects to play in Saturday’s home clash against 2017 premier Richmond.

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Port Adelaide star Tom Rockliff says he has felt no ill effects of his concussion and expects to play in Saturday’s home clash against 2017 premier Richmond.

Returning to Adelaide on Wednesday afternoon after spending five days in his former home town Brisbane, Rockliff said he had already passed one concussion test and would have another one before training on Thursday morning.

Barring a surprise setback, he said he would then take part in the club’s main session at Alberton Oval and play against the injury and suspension riddled Tigers, who will be without a host of stars including Alex Rance, Jack Riewoldt and Dustin Martin.

“I’m all good, my head feels fine,’’ Rockliff told The Advertiser.

Tom Rockliff of the Power handballs during the round three AFL match against Brisbane at The Gabba. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“I’ve got a couple of little tests to get through (the concussion test and training) but I’m sure I’ll be fine and will play on the weekend.’’

The 29-year-old midfield ball magnet — a former Lions captain — started the season in blistering form, with 44 disposals against Melbourne and 37 against Carlton before being knocked out in the third quarter of the 17-point loss to Brisbane at the Gabba last Saturday night.

Rockliff had 15 disposals when he was crunched and felled by Hugh McCluggage before leaving the field in the arms of club medical staff.

He passed a concussion test straight after the game and stayed in Brisbane with his wife, Sharna, and son, Jack, until Wednesday to see family and friends.

Rockliff, in his second year at Port after joining the club as a free agent, said he had exercised in Brisbane and “pulled up fine’’.

“So I’m sure I’m ready to go,’’ he said.

Rockliff said his head knock followed a knee to the same spot against the Blues the week before.

“It was a really weird one,’’ Rockliff said of the incident against the Lions.

“There didn’t look to be too much in it but I got kneed in the same spot the previous week, so I guess it was a bit of a result of that and I went down and was (knocked) out temporarily.

“But I felt fine afterwards and haven’t had an issue since, so I’m sure I’m okay and really want to get out there on the weekend to help the team win.’’

Rockliff had a tough first year at Port, averaging a modest, by his lofty standards, 20.5 disposals in an injury-riddled campaign that included knee, calf and shoulder injuries.

This year — after an off-season shoulder reconstruction — he is fit and back to his best.

“I’m pleased with my early form and hope it continues,’’ he said.

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