Trio of talls eye off spots as Howard and Amon face one-game suspensions

Port Adelaide doesn’t have a shortage of contenders to cover Dougal Howard and Karl Amon if they accept one-game bans from the match review officer as it targets a crucial consecutive win.

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Jarrad Schofield says upsetting premiership favourite Geelong will prove hollow without Port Adelaide notching consecutive wins for the first time since Round 6 on Saturday against Western Bulldogs.

Port Adelaide has seamlessly ushered in rookies including Connor Rozee, Xavier Duursma, Zak Butters, Willem Drew, Joel Garner and Peter Ladhams this season. Second year forward Kane Farrell is impressing with 17 goals while Dan Houston has ignited in Port’s engine room.

However, injuries to linchpins including co-skipper Ollie Wines, Charlie Dixon, Brad Ebert and Tom Rockliff combined with a young side has led to fluctuating form curve, said assistant coach Schofield.

Peter Ladhams, right, rucks against Hawthorn’s Jonathon Ceglar in Round 10. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

“You want consistency, string wins together and the nature of the competition probably doesn’t allow you to be as dominant,” Schofield said.

“We have a side that has new faces that are gelling and that is maybe where we have to be mindful of the situation we are in.

“We have had some key personnel out which has given opportunities to other players. The young fells have had some games and when it all comes together with Charlie and Ollie coming back in it shows what we are capable of.”

The successful return of experienced Wines, Dixon and Ebert against Geelong means there will be no excuses when seventh-placed Port host the Bulldogs languishing in 15th spot.

“We have stated our best footy is good enough and shown that. We should gain a lot of confidence from executing against a side that had lost one game,” said Schofield.

“The challenge for us is to match it, make sure we bring it again this weekend and sustain it otherwise last week doesn’t mean much.”

Paddy Ryder cuts a lonely figure at Port Adelaide training last week. Picture: TAIT SCHMAAL.

Schofield says Ladhams, 21, will compete with veterans Paddy Ryder and Justin Westhoff for a recall against the Bulldogs if Dougal Howard accepts a one-match ban.

Utility Howard was charged with striking Geelong’s Harry Taylor during the second quarter of Port’s win last Saturday night at Adelaide Oval. Howard can take a week on the sidelines with an early plea as can Karl Amon who faces a rough conduct charge against Gary Rohan.

If Howard pays the price for his stomach punch on veteran Taylor, it could open the door for emerging big man Ladhams rather than of out-of-favour Ryder who is now being linked to interstate clubs.

“There is no preference. We will pick a side that matches up well against the Bulldogs,” said Schofield with Ryder and reigning club champion Westhoff dropped for the Geelong clash.

“There is no hierarchy. What we do know is Pete Ladhams is playing well in the SANFL which is fantastic and a healthy headache,” said Schofield.

Tom Rockliff has been sidelined since Round 10 with a hamstring tear. Schofield indicated the midfielder — averaging 31 touches this season — would return through the SANFL.

“We have shown that guys that have had longer lay-offs or need that game time will go through the SANFL,” he said.