Hinkley sure Wingard will bring his A game for first clash with Power

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has warned there will be more than one former player ready to have a big impact against his old teammates in Launceston on the weekend.

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has warned Chad Wingard is likely to be primed to play well against the Power. Picture: Daniel Pockett/AAP

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Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has warned his players former start midfielder-forward Chad Wingard is likely to be primed for a big game at Launceston as he faces his former teammates as opponents in a Hawthorn jumper.

Hinkley knows Wingard better than most and suggested he would love the build-up of not only playing against his old club but also representing the indigenous community in the AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

Wingard has always been a big-game player and Hinkley has singled him out as a significant threat.

“Yes (he will get up for this game),” Hinkley said. “One hundred per cent ‘Chaddie’ will be up for this game.

“Any player … you want to play well against your former team under any circumstances.”

There are several sub plots in the match between the Power and the Hawks, with former Port Adelaide players Shaun Burgoyne and Jarman Impey also suiting up against their old teammates in the round designed to honour the contribution of the game’s indigenous players.

Hawthorn’s No. 1 fan Ceberio (Cebby) Johnson, 14, with Hawks stars Jarman Impey, Shaun Burgoyne and Chad Wingard last month. Picture: Sarah Matray

The occasion wasn’t lost on Hinkley, who underlined the significance of the themed game to Port Adelaide.

“For our footy club, and I don’t separate ourselves from any other team, but we’re really passionate about our indigenous players and our indigenous history of players.

“It’s so strong and so great at Port Adelaide.

“We want to honour the boys.

“This round is so important to us as a football club.”

Much of the interest ahead of the game will be on debutant Peter Ladhams, who will take over the some of the ruck duties from the injured Scott Lycett and team up with Paddy Ryder.

It had been an easy decision for Hinkley to whistle up Ladhams, because his form in the SANFL had been outstanding.

“It’s the best part of the job, when you get to bring a player into his AFL career for the first time,” Hinkley said. “It’s really exciting and for his teammates it’s equally exciting.

“There’s no better moment in football clubs other than winning together at the end of the game.

“But yes, it was really easy (the decision).

“Scotty we were mindful — we didn’t want to wear him into the ground.

“It’s still a long way to go in the season.

“Pete’s just been in fantastic SANFL form, irresistible form to be honest and he got a bit of a lucky break.”

Joel Garner will be the club’s travelling emergency as Robbie Gray and co-captain Tom Jonas return to the side from injuries.

Originally published as Hinkley sure Wingard will bring his A game for first clash with Power