‘Big call’: Port Adelaide skipper Tom Jonas dumped to SANFL

Port Adelaide are second on the ladder but it hasn’t stopped coach Ken Hinkley showing all his players they have to be at their best.

Tom Jonas will play SANFL this weekend. Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Port Adelaide have sensationally left captain Tom Jonas out of Saturday afternoon’s clash with Hawthorn.

After losing two of the club’s first three games, the Power have bounced backing, winning the next eight games to sit second on the AFL ladder, a win behind ladder leaders Collingwood and a win ahead of the third-placed Brisbane Lions.

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But coach Ken Hinkley has showed that no player’s position is safe, leaving the defender out of the squad to face the Hawks, who themselves have won two games in a row but sit in 16th on the ladder.

“It is a big call, it’s a significant call, but it’s a call of a team that’s in really good form and is really consistent with our behaviours,” Hinkley said.

“We don’t separate anyone, whether it be a captain or a first-year player. The opportunity to play comes about through form and performance.”

Jonas has played eight matches this season, having been suspended twice and was also managed for Port Adelaide’s Gather Round clash against the Bulldogs.

But there have been some questions around Jonas’ form this season, particularly after the two losses early in the season.

Tom Jonas has been dumped out of the senior team. Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images

And Hinkley added that it wouldn’t necessarily be a certainty that the 32-year-old would be back next week either, saying Jonas would need to earn is recall.

“We know Tom’s a proud man and he’ll go out there and give his absolute all and play really well,” he said. “But that doesn’t guarantee anyone selection straight back into a team.

“As a good leader of our football club, he understands that the players who come in and played last week played really well.

“Lachie Jones was really strong and we think we’ll get Todd (Marshall) and Charlie (Dixon) back into our team, which allows Burto (Ryan Burton) to go back as a backline player.

“It makes it a bit tight for positions in the team.

“It’ll be good for Tom to run around and have a kick with the Magpies. It’ll be a great opportunity for him, as a leader of the club, to lead a young team.

“He understands the team is going really well, and he would never put himself ahead of the team, regardless of his position. He’s very accepting of what’s going on.

“He also knows it’s good for him, to go back and have a game and get some form and make sure he’s in good nick when he comes back in.”

Port will welcome back tall forward Todd Marshall from concussion but Charlie Dixon has been unable to overcome his quad injury.

Travis Boak is also a hopeful to play as he manages a rib injury.