AFL 2023: Ken Hinkley’s big selection dilemmas for knockout semi-final

If Charlie Dixon returns for Saturday night’s do-or-die final, will breakout forward Ollie Lord be picked ahead of Jeremy Finlayson and Todd Marshall? Go inside Port’s big dilemma.

Todd Marshall of the Power kicks on goal.

The breakout performance of Ollie Lord will give Port Adelaide’s selection committee plenty to think about if Charlie Dixon is available for next weekend’s knockout semi-final.

Playing just his 12th game, Lord kicked a career-high four goals and was the Power’s most dangerous forward in the 48-point loss to Brisbane at the Gabba on Saturday night.

A display like that should secure his spot to face GWS at home, but if Dixon returned from a foot injury a difficult decision looms.

Power coach Ken Hinkley was optimistic post-match that Dixon would play, though said it was no certainty.

If he does, and Lord is not the one to make way, who is?

Jeremy Finlayson?

The former GWS Giant has been in patchy form, largely due to wayward goalkicking.

He has booted 6.15 across his past seven matches.

On Saturday night, he was limited to 0.1, six disposals and two marks.

But he has been the Power’s most effective secondary ruckman, attending 21 per cent of centre bounces this year before Saturday night to be a nimble alternative to Scott Lycett.

Port would be reluctant for Dixon to do too much ruckwork in a return match.

Lord has only attended 6 per cent of centre bounces when playing this season.

The rate is even fewer for Todd Marshall, who has not been in the middle since round 1.

Marshall was more influential than Finlayson on Saturday night, but his goalkicking was unusually poor.

He finished with 2.1 and two shanked shots that did not score.

Ollie Lord was Port Adelaide’s most dangerous forward against the Lions. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Lord has now played five consecutive games, booting 8.1 during that span.

The 21-year-old and Dixon have been teammates only once in 12 games – in the round 7 away win over St Kilda.

They are similar pack-crashing types, different to Marshall and Finlayson.

So, if Finlayson is dropped it presents a back-up ruck problem, and if Lord is axed he will be incredibly stiff.

Then again, goalsneak Francis Evans was omitted after kicking four majors in the second Showdown – he eventually earnt a reprieve due to other withdrawals – and three against Richmond in the last minor round.

Not only was Lord’s roving slick on Saturday night, leading to two snapped goals, he imposed himself on marking contests and helped quell Lions co-captain Harris Andrews (nine disposals, six marks).

“I thought Ollie did a really good job, so there’s some optimism around what he’s been able to do,” Hinkley said.

Port midfielder Willem Drew added: “Whenever he’s come in, we just ask him to compete and that’s what he brings. He’s played some massive games throughout the year and his ability to play his role is what’s getting him a game.”

Jeremy Finlayson could come under heat at selection. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Adding complexity to the Power’s selection debates will be the health of key defender Trent McKenzie.

In his first match back from a knee injury, McKenzie rolled his ankle “badly”.

Hinkley said he would “need every minute of next week to be available”.

The timing was unfortunate for the Power and skipper Tom Jonas.

Jonas, who was set to retire at season’s end and was dropped to make way for McKenzie ahead of the qualifying final, sustained a 2-3 week calf injury on Thursday.

If McKenzie was to be sidelined, Jonas would have earnt a recall.

Without either of them, or Tom Clurey due to a season-ending back injury, Port could be forced to decide between one of three options.

Playing smaller in defence with Miles Bergman and Ryan Burton on taller opponents, shifting a tall forward such as Lord to the backline, where he played in the SANFL late last season, or handing Jake Pasini a debut.

“We’ll have to make do with what we have available and I’m optimistic that’s still strong enough or good enough,” Hinkley said.

In a game where the visitors lacked the composure of the hosts, Port could have used Travis Boak’s experience on the ground from the outset against the Lions, rather than as the substitute.

Expect him to be right in the mix to come into the 22 with the Power’s season on the line.

Half-back Dylan Williams is in doubt for the Giants clash because of a hamstring issue.

Originally published as AFL 2023: Ken Hinkley’s big selection dilemmas for knockout semi-final