Port Adelaide brings Tom Jonas back for Melbourne clash but no Watts, Trengove

PORT Adelaide’s two ex-Demons, Jack Watts and Jack Trengove, will have to wait to face their old side with Power coach Ken revealing the club is set to make only one change for the big Friday night clash against Melbourne.

Port Adelaide Power players are seen during captains run training session at Adelaide Oval, in Adelaide, Thursday, June 21, 2018. (AAP Image/David Mariuz) NO ARCHIVING

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PORT Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley will urge his midfield to back themselves against Melbourne on Friday night.

Melbourne heads the competition in contested ball — the same measure Hinkley has credited for the Power’s lift in form and will let re-signed vice-captain Ollie Wines and Sam Powell-Pepper loose in Brad Ebert’s 150th game for the club.

“We can’t stop them (Wines and Powell-Pepper),” Hinkley said. “That’s the key with those players — you don’t stop them.

“They just play on instinct and their instinct is to go at it.

“I’m sure the Melbourne boys will be same.

“There will be some fireworks out there early — you wouldn’t want to get caught between the two or three people that are going at the ball because it could be a dangerous spot to tread.”

Tom Jonas feels for his hamstring at Port Adelaide training at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday. He will return to the side against Melbourne. Picture Sarah Reed

“Their contested ball stuff is outstanding inside and they’ve got some dangers in their front half. I’d call them a ready team; they’re ready to play some high-level football.”

The other key battle will that between All Australian ruckmen Max Gawn and Paddy Ryder.

Ryder, who continues to manage an Achilles injury, was in a good spot as far as his fitness was concerned.

Tom Jonas has recovered from a hamstring injury and will face the Demons at the expense of Jack Hombsch.

It means the club’s two ex-Demons, former Melbourne No. 1 draft pick Jack Watts and former captain Jack Trengove, will have to bide their time in the SANFL.

Darcy Byrne-Jones has also been cleared fit to play.

Melbourne recalled Dom Tyson and Timothy Smith and dumped Cameron Pedersen and Charlie Spargo.

Port Adelaide player Jack Watts, middle, at Port training this week. He will spend another week in the SANFL. Picture: AAP Image/Sam Wundke

Hinkley is enjoying a steady run with keeping the team intact with minimal changes — unlike several clubs — and said it was part of why the team had found some consistent form.

“We have had a really good, consistent run now over a four or five-week period where we’ve only made two or three changes,” Hinkley said.

“Jack (Watts) played really well last week but the balance of the team and Jonas’ form was an overriding factor over whether he would come in.

“Jack Trengove’s been in great form all year and he’s just waiting for an opportunity, probably, with our midfield group being pretty strong.

“And Jack Watts … like we showed with ‘Rocky’ (Tom Rockliff) earlier this year — when you give them that break you probably need to give them a little bit of time and I think that works well for Jack.

“He played really well last week (in the SANFL); it was probably the best game he played all season for us in some crucial areas for us.

“He enjoyed the game but he was disappointed as well; he wants to play in our AFL team.”

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Originally published as Port Adelaide brings Tom Jonas back for Melbourne clash but no Watts, Trengove