Power will roll the dice on key big men Paddy Ryder and Tom Jonas against Western Bulldogs

WHY Port Adelaide is rolling the dice on kingpins Paddy Ryder and Tom Jonas against the Western Bulldogs in Ballarat on Sunday.

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PORT Adelaide will roll the dice on kingpins Paddy Ryder and Tom Jonas on Sunday in icy Ballarat – eyeing a victory against vulnerable Western Bulldogs that kickstarts its faltering top-four mission.

Jonas and Ryder will make remarkable returns from knee and hip injuries the club feared could sideline them for a month.

All Australian favourite Jonas returns to lead Port’s defence inside three weeks from left knee, key-hole surgery. Ryder misses just the loss to Greater Western Sydney after jumping through all the hoops required by medicos.

“Both trained really well on Thursday, pulled up well. They have done everything expected of them and we expect them to play,” said Power assistant coach Aaron Greaves on Saturday.

Port had resolved to play a specialist ruckman after its forward structure was diminished by Charlie Dixon’s makeshift role covering Ryder. Ollie Wines’ midfield drive was also compromised pinch hitting in ruck against GWS colossus Dawson Simpson.

Ryder’s fast tracked return to battle Bulldogs mobile Jordan Roughead means untried, travelling emergency Billy Frampton’s four-year wait for an AFL debut continues.

“Paddy has done everything we have expected him to do so it would only be if something happened or he didn’t feel right that Billy would come into the side,” said Greaves.

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Coach Ken Hinkley will unveil a second debutant this season with former Bendigo midfielder/forward Kane Farrell, 19, to line up in familiar territory at Ballarat’s Mars Stadium.

Farrell, Port’s pick No.51 in last year’s national AFL draft, is one to watch having booted 20 goals for the SANFL Magpies this season with enviable poise.

“It is really exciting when you see a first-year player get an opportunity. You can see the joy and excitement it brings to them and their family,” said Greaves, joining Steve Motlop, Ryder, Jonas and Riley Bonner as Power inclusions after losses to Fremantle and GWS.

Kane Farrell trains ahead of his AFL debut for the Power on Sunday. Picture: AAP Image/David Mariuz

“Being a country Victorian kid he gets his first chance in Ballarat. Kane is a classy finisher, lovely left foot, very clever around goals.

“We are really excited to the ball in his hands and hopefully he can create some opportunities for us.”

The 14th placed Bulldogs are playing for pride in Marcus Bontempelli’s 100th game but fifth-placed Port must triumph to remain in the hunt for a top-four finish.

“There are still 11 or so sides that are really alive and that top four battle is up for grabs,” said Greaves.

Tom Boyd (back), gun midfielder Luke Dahlhaus (ankle), Billy Gowers (ankle) and Roarke Smith (car accident) are sidelined in a blow to coach Luke Beveridge’s designs on a sixth win this season.

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