AFL Finals 2023: All the latest Port Adelaide news ahead of the semi-final against GWS

The Power are counting the cost of their tough loss in Brisbane with a number of injury concerns across the team, but one of their stars will definitely face GWS. Here’s the latest from Port.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 09: Ken Hinkley, Senior Coach of the Power is seen during the 2023 AFL Second Qualifying Final match between the Brisbane Lions and the Port Adelaide Power at The Gabba on September 09, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Port Adelaide say key forward Todd Marshall is expected to be available for the Power’s do or die semi-final against GWS as he continues “to manage hip soreness” as the club sweats on the health of other star players.

Marshall has been battling with a hip complaint, which resulted in him being a late withdrawal for the Power’s final home and away game against Richmond.

He returned for the Power’s qualifying final against Brisbane on Saturday night but was unusually inaccurate early on, and finished with two goals in Port Adelaide’s loss.

Power defence coach Nathan Bassett said Marshall was still dealing with the hip issue and he was in some danger of missing Port’s Saturday night semi-final against the Giants at Adelaide Oval.

“It wasn’t a great night for us (accuracy wise), we missed a few shots,” he said.

“Todd has a few extenuating circumstances around his kicking.

“It wasn’t a great one for our finishing… but it was more than that.

“He has had some hip issues and we are waiting on a few scans, he is one of them and we will find out more.

“Yeah I would imagine he would be in some doubt.”

Charlie Dixon training at Alberton on Monday. Picture: Mark Brake

The Port Adelaide star is in line to return on Saturday night. Picture: Mark Brake

The Power said Charlie Dixon has resumed running, and will try and train this week in a bid to play.

The hulking key forward has returned to running without discomfort and will rejoin training in the coming day in his quest to face the Giants.

“Charlie has run four times and he will certainly push to train and he will want to play this week,” Bassett said.

“Charlie is a great competitor and he holds others to great account in the forward line and in the whole team.

“It is always nice to have his presence out there.”

In his absence and with Marshall wayward and Jeremy Finlayson quiet, youngster Ollie Lord stood up for the Power on Saturday night.

Playing a shutdown role on Harris Andrews, Lord kicked four goals in a breakout performance.

“I think Ollie is someone who stands up every week. He is a great competitor who does the little things well and it was nice to see him get some reward,” Bassett said.

“He stood Harris Andrews and did his best, Andrews did a couple of things but the thing about Ollie is that he will always give his best no matter what.

“Good for him but we want him to do it again this week.”

Defenders Trent McKenzie and Dylan Williams were the other players booked in for scans on Monday.

McKenzie rolled his ankle, while Williams suffered a hamstring injury.

“Trent you would like to think he is some sort of a chance this week anyway,” Bassett said.

Scans have cleared Williams of any significant muscle injury but he will still need to prove his fitness to be considered for selection.

Trent McKenzie will race the clock to be fit for the Giants game. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos

Fellow key defender Aliir Aliir was only an onlooker at the Power’s light session on Monday after he injured his knee in last Thursday’s main session.

Bassett said he was counting on Aliir facing the Giants.

“I think Aliir will be better off for another full week of training, to not train last Thursday he probably didn’t play quite at the level that we are hoping for but I am really confident that I have seen enough from Aliir that he will play strongly this week,” he said.

“I don’t think it impacted the way he played too much but he wasn’t comfortable.”

If McKenzie can’t join him in the backline then Bassett all but confirmed that the Power would go smaller in defence with Miles Bergman, Lachie Jones and Ryan Burton in line for roles.

“We aren’t going to be super tall behind the ball so I think that allows us to be super mobile and agile,” he said.

Young ruckman Dante Visentini is also in line to be available from a quad injury.

Originally published as AFL Finals 2023: All the latest Port Adelaide news ahead of the semi-final against GWS