Tom Jonas, Paddy Ryder and Billy Frampton bolt into contention to face Western Bulldogs

STAR duo Tom Jonas and Paddy Ryder feature alongside untried ruckman Billy Frampton and another rookie in the Port Adelaide squad to face Western Bulldogs in Ballarat on Sunday.

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TOM Jonas and Paddy Ryder have bolted into contention for Sunday’s clash against the Western Bulldogs but Port Adelaide will take Billy Frampton to Ballarat as ruck insurance.

Kane Farrell’s three goals and Frampton’s 19 touches, 19 hit-outs and two goals in Port Magpies 35-point loss to Glenelg at Alberton Oval last Saturday have earned them promotion to an extended Power squad.

Billy Frampton, at Power training on Thursday, will join the Port Adelaide squad for the trip to Ballarat. Picture: Tom Huntley. Picture: Tom Huntley

Defensive linchpin Tom Jonas has also been included in the squad for the match against the Bulldogs. Picture: Tom Huntley

Karl Amon (knee) is out for two to three weeks while Port defence takes another hit with a hand injury sidelining Dougal Howard.

Port’s part time ruckmen Charlie Dixon, Justin Westhoff, Howard and Ollie Wines were slayed by GWS colossus Dawson Simpson in a damaging loss last Sunday at Adelaide Oval.

After four years on the list, Frampton will debut for Port if Ryder doesn’t recover from a hip-flexor injury. Ryder was expected to front Adelaide in next round’s Showdown.

“We’ll see how they respond to their training but we’re pretty confident they’re going to play,” said Hinkley.

“I’m not in the habit of putting in fake news.

“I said Paddy would be a chance and that is exactly what he is. He has recovered from his hip flexor. There aren’t too many issues with him currently, it is getting through training, pulling up OK on Saturday and playing on Sunday.

“Billy Frampton is a chance, he will be named but so will Paddy. We will give him every chance.”

Hinkley earlier this season said 200cm Frampton and Peter Ladhams were undercooked for AFL but Brogan insists big men learn on the job. Frampton’s two goals, 19 touches and 19 hitouts against Glenelg last Saturday impressed Hinkley

“If I go back to rounds one to six, both our young rucks were a bit off the pace,” Hinkley said.

“We think they’ve progressed enough in the last six weeks where we feel that we’re disrupting other stuff and we could probably protect Dixon and Westhoff a bit more.

“Ladhams and Frampton had pretty positive games in the SANFL last week.”

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Key defender Jonas had been expected to spend another three weeks rehabilitating a knee but travels to Ballarat.

“Tom is a chance, he has recovered really well,” said Hinkley.

Jarrod Lienert impressed on debut against the Giants and becomes integral to Port’s defence with Howard out.

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