Power assistant coach Scott Thompson concedes there is a risk to recalling Wines and Hammer

Port Adelaide will think long and hard before pulling the trigger on Ollie Wines and Hamish Hartlett this week as the club holds out hope of Jack Watts playing again this season and reveals the extent of Karl Amon’s injury.

Port Adelaide’s Hamish Hartlett fronts in an SANFL trial match against Adelaide at Alberton Oval. Picture: Tom Huntley.

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Port Adelaide will think long and hard before pulling the trigger on Ollie Wines and Hamish Hartlett as the club holds out hope of Jack Watts playing again this season.

Power assistant coach Scott Thompson accepts it is a gamble to recall two stars off serious injuries entering a testing mission at the Gabba against fellow unbeaten rival Brisbane.

“It is a risk but both are in the mix. Ollie has had a couple of really solid weeks on the track so whether he plays or not we are not quite sure. Hammer has strung a really solid couple of weeks together for the Magpies in the SANFL,” said Thompson.

Returning Power star Hamish Hartlett in action in the SANFL. Picture: Tom Huntley

Ollie Wines trains as he recovers from shoulder surgery. Picture SARAH REED

Port coach Ken Hinkley had indicated co-captain Wines and deputy Hartlett would replace Jack Watts (broken fibula/dislocated ankle) and Karl Amon (knee) against Brisbane on Saturday night.

The club revealed on Monday night scans had confirmed Amon sprained the medial ligament in his knee and will be out for approximately five to six weeks.

Wines endured a shoulder dislocation in a water ski incident on Australia Day and lacks match conditioning.

Hartlett rebounded from a sickening head clash with Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield in round five last season only to rupture his right anterior cruciate ligament at training. Half-back Hartlett is the ideal replacement for Watts.

“Ollie coming off a shoulder it is just the time frame. There is a lot of random movement when you are actually playing compared to what you can put yourself through in training sessions,” Thompson said.

“There is a risk in that.

“With Hammer, match fitness I suppose, he has only played the two games but other than that they are raring and ready to go.”

Jack Watts after his serious ankle injury on Saturday. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Thompson insists no one has run a red line through utility Watts’ season at Alberton.

“From all reports surgery went well. We will play it by ear, he could be back for the back half of the season. We are not sure. If he is fit, absolutely,” said Thompson.

“He can deal with adversity and I have no doubt he can play a role if he is back before the season’s end. “

Sam Gray pushed his case for a recall in place of Amon with a four-goal effort while Jack Trengove shone with 44 disposals against West Adelaide on Friday night.

Trengove, Matthew Broadbent, Dougal Howard and Sam Gray will fight to cover Watts and Amon if the club leaders can’t front against the Lions.

Brisbane attacking towers Eric Hipwood and Daniel McStay enhance 199cm Howard’s stocks after “playing well” against West Adelaide.

“They have a lot of strength around the field, up and about and added really strong midfield players in Jarryd Lyons and Lachie Neale,” Thompson said.