AFL injury news: Connor Rozee fighting to be fit for Showdown, Finn Maginness injury

The last time Connor Rozee carried an injury into a Showdown he was subbed out early after Ken Hinkley admitted the Power ‘made a mistake’ playing him. They won’t make the same mistake this time.

Port Adelaide captain Connor Rozee has no fear about carrying another injury into Saturday’s Showdown, just 14 months after failing to get through a loss to Adelaide.

Rozee will test his injured left hand at training on Wednesday before making a call whether he can handle the pain in what looms as the Power’s biggest game in the closing weeks of the season.

He was subbed off at three quarter-time of a 30-point Showdown loss in round 8 last year.

The skipper carried a hamstring injury into that match and Power coach Ken Hinkley said he “made a mistake playing” Rozee.

Connor Rozee was subbed off against West Coast. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

But Rozee shrugged off any comparisons on Monday.

“This one is a fair bit different to last year, a soft tissue injury which I hadn’t done and didn’t know how to approach it,” he said.

Rozee said the injury was “in a decent spot-ish” and it would come down to how he handles the pain during the main session this week as to his availability for Saturday night.

“The plan throughout the last week or so has been to give it as much rest as possible,” he said.

“That will pick up (Tuesday) hopefully and I will see how it feels.

“(The decision will come from) everyone I think. Clearly I am the one who feels the pain so I have most of the say in this one, but the conversations will be with everyone.”

Rozee chose not to buy in to Port Adelaide’s chances of putting a dent in the top four hopes of arch rivals Adelaide, but was clear that the Showdown will mean more than other matches to close the year.

“There is no lack of motivation I think when it comes to these games, whether you are playing for something or not,” he said.

Connor Rozee after injuring his hand two weeks ago. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

“The fact is the intensity is much higher than a lot of other games so it makes it very exciting to play in.

“I think it is a point that we touch on quite often, no matter where anyone is on the table, anyone can win this game.

“That’s what makes it especially exciting to play in. We have a lot of guys who haven’t played in too many Showdowns, so to get some experience into them and a Showdown win, there’s no better feeling.”

Rozee said it was a “bit of a strange weekend” personally, after the home of his wife Maisie’s grandparents was engulfed in flames on Saturday morning.

There were no injuries in the blaze after the jack russell dog of the couple woke them as the flames spread.

“We are just happy that everyone is healthy and no-one is hurt,” Rozee said.

“It’s disappointing that they have lost their home and they have to organise some things but now the main thing is everyone is healthy.”

HAWKS MIDFIELDER STUCK IN TASSIE AFTER KIDNEY INJURY

— Jon Ralph

Hawthorn midfielder Finn Maginness will miss multiple weeks with a lacerate kidney after reporting discomfort after the Hawks victory over Port Adelaide.

Maginness was taken to hospital on Saturday night after taking a knock in the clash against the Power before being transferred to Hobart for surgery.

He will remain in hospital for several days after surgery and will take some time to make a full recovery.

Finn Maginness will miss time. Picture: Mark Stewart

Will Day could make his return this week. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Hawthorn will take on Carlton on Thursday with a five-day break and intense pressure for spots at the Hawks.

Star midfielder Will Day is still hopeful of being available for that clash after his foot issues and will try to prove his fitness at training this week.

Mabior Choi missed the clash with groin soreness and while fellow key forward Mitch Lewis was subbed off in his first clash after ACL surgery he was strong on a wet windy day for key talls.

Cam Mackenzie and Changkuoth Jiath both missed selection for the Power clash in an indication of the club’s incredible depth.

Box Hill plays VFL on Sunday afternoon so any Hawks players who play in that clash will have only a four-day break leading into the Carlton clash.

Originally published as AFL injury news: Connor Rozee fighting to be fit for Showdown, Finn Maginness injury