AFL 2024: All the Teams news and analysis for round 7, Ivan Soldo out for Port Adelaide

Off-season recruit Jordon Sweet will get his chance to be the Power’s main ruckman, with revelation Ivan Soldo set for an extended sit on the sidelines.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 20: Ivan Soldo of the Power warms up before the 2024 AFL Round 06 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Port Adelaide Power at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 20, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Twelve-gamer Jordon Sweet is poised to receive his longest stint as a lead AFL ruckman as he covers for fellow Port Adelaide recruit Ivan Soldo.

Soldo is expected to miss four to five weeks after irritating a lateral meniscus issue in his left knee during last week’s loss to Collingwood at the MCG.

Sweet has played four consecutive AFL matches just once – in 2021 – across his six seasons and never five in a row.

The former Western Bulldog made his club debut for the Power on Saturday, rucking in tandem with Soldo, before being subbed out in the second half in a tactical move.

Sweet will shoulder ruck duties against St Kilda star Rowan Marshall at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.

Port coach Ken Hinkley said Sweet, who made the VFL Team of the Year member last season and won a SANFL flag with North Adelaide in 2018, had shown he was too good for the level below.

Ivan Soldo has been ruled out of Friday night’s clash with St Kilda with a knee injury. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

The off-season recruit reported pain after Saturday’s loss to Collingwood at the MCG.

Port will confirm a timeline for Soldo’s return after his procedure.

His absence opens the door for Jordon Sweet to take the No. 1 mantle.

Sweet played his first game for the Power against the Magpies and was subbed out.“With every down story, there’s a positive story and that’s for Jordon to get an opportunity,” Hinkley said.

“He was dominant last year in the VFL and this year in the SANFL he’s been really strong.

“We think he just needs an opportunity to show what he can do at an AFL level consistently.”

Port Adelaide looks set to make two changes for Friday night’s home game against St Kilda, recalling spearhead Charlie Dixon (managed) and veteran Travis Boak (back).

Ex-Richmond ruckman Soldo planned to have an arthroscopy in the coming days.

“He’s had some history with his knee, he’s given it a bit of a bang, so we’ve made an assertive and aggressive decision to make sure we take care of that right now,” Hinkley said.

“He thought he could’ve pushed through and played this week, probably next week, but the reality was at some stage this little injury was probably going to slow him down and we needed to fix it.”

Jordon Sweet will take the ruck load. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Much external scrutiny had been on the Power’s midfield since the team’s 161-120 smashing in contested possessions and 39-33 in clearances against Collingwood.

It continued the trend of Port struggling against the competition’s best sides, particularly away.

But Hinkley said it was a collective issue, rather than a midfield one.

“It’s not just one part of the team and one part of the ground causing some of our concerns,” he said.

“We’re able to do it pretty well against lots of teams, but there is a game or two that pops up, regularly against the better teams, that we’ve failed to get that job done.”

Friday night is special on two fronts for the Power.

The club, which has 165 past and present members to have been service people, is honoured to again host an Anzac Round clash in what has been a regular fixture for two decades.

Star midfielder Zak Butters will also celebrate his 100th match.