Port Adelaide news: All the latest news out of Alberton Oval

All eyes when the Pies come to town will be on Brownlow Medal favourite Nick Daicos, but will Ken Hinkley show his hand early and tag the young star? Plus, will Tom Jonas keep his spot?

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 01: Jason Horne-Francis of the Power and Zak Butters of the Power (right) celebrate during the 2023 AFL Round 16 match between the Essendon Bombers and the Port Adelaide Power at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 1, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Port Adelaide captain Tom Jonas is in line to lose his spot in the AFL side for Saturday night’s top-of-the-table clash against Collingwood.

Jonas, who played his first game for the Power in almost two months in last week’s 50-point loss to Carlton, trained with the B team for most of match simulation at training at Alberton on Wednesday night.

He had a long chat to coach Ken Hinkley before the session, then started with the As while fellow defender Trent McKenzie was put through a fitness test on the sidelines.

But when the ex-Gold Coast Sun took to the field, the skipper swapped teams.

McKenzie’s return would be among several likely Power changes.

Spearhead Charlie Dixon (ankle) trained fully in a sign he was ready to play, while goalsneak Junior Rioli (personal reasons) was available after missing the Blues match.

Although scans cleared star Zak Butters of a groin injury on Tuesday, he did not take part in the match simulation.

Young gun Jason Horne-Francis (back) was involved, wearing a pink hat to indicate no contact.

Tom Jonas could come straight out of the Power side if McKenzie returns. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Defender Ryan Burton, who was the substitute last week, trained with the A side, as was tall forward Ollie Lord, while Todd Marshall ran laps.

Midfielder Jackson Mead looked set to be dropped after lining up with the Bs.

Earlier on Wednesday, on-baller Willem Drew said he was willing to take on one of the toughest tasks in the game, trying to curtail Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos.

Few clubs have been able to limit Daicos’s influence this season, as he has stormed to Brownlow Medal favouritism.

Hard nut Lachie Jones got the job on Daicos in round 2, a match Collingwood won by 71 points at the MCG and the father-son gun finished with 32 disposals and two goals.

On Tuesday, Power midfield coach Josh Carr raised Drew as a possible candidate to play on the Magpie this week.

Daicos dominated the Power in their first contest. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The hardworking Port player was happy to do what was needed.

“It’d be a great challenge,” Drew said.

“Nick is obviously a great player and we’ve seen throughout the whole season what he’s been able to do.”

Drew described his own year as “not too bad”, going about his business as external attention centred mostly on Butters, Horne-Francis and Connor Rozee.

“I know I’m valued internally and know what I bring helps the team so that’s what matters and what Carry and Kenny have been telling me,” he said.

Second-placed Port Adelaide has a 14-3 win-loss record going into Saturday night’s game, while ladder-leading Collingwood is one victory and 25.2 per cent ahead.

Originally published as Port Adelaide news: All the latest news out of Alberton Oval