AFL Finals: Silver lining shines out of Port Adelaide’s weekend from hell

Port Adelaide superstar Zak Butters has been cleared of any serious injury after being subbed out of Friday night’s demolition by the Cats while, queries remain over a underperforming spearhead.

Port Adelaide vice-captain Zak Butters has been cleared of serious injury in what looms as a huge boost for the Power’s knockout semi-final.

Butters underwent an X-ray in hospital after Thursday night’s home qualifying final loss to Geelong, then had secondary scans the next day, which revealed rib bruising and no fracture or injury to internal organs.

The two-time All-Australian will be tested ahead of Port’s cutthroat clash with a red-hot Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.

Renowned sports medic Dr Peter Larkins expected Butters would play given there was no break, but noted the injury was painful enough for him to be substituted against the Cats.

Butters took part in the Power’s light recovery session at Alberton on Saturday.

Port Adelaide assistant Chad Cornes said the star midfielder went into the game with the injury, having been sore for a couple of weeks.

“He’s a tough guy so for Buttsy not to play on in a final, there’s soreness there,” Cornes said.

“But nothing came up on the scan, which is a real positive for us.”

Zak Butters is expected to start against the Hawks in next weekend’s semi-final. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Even if Butters is available, the Power will have to make several big selection calls, including whether to stick with spearhead Charlie Dixon after his three-disposal, one-mark shocker.

Cornes backed Dixon to respond, saying “he will try harder than anyone else out on that field on Friday night”.

“I’ve heard a little bit of (external) talk about him,” he said.

“He was the first one to come up to me after the game and, not apologise, but in language that you can’t say here …

“The thing I love about him is he knows when he hasn’t played to his level, he’s really honest and open with that.

Charlie Dixon had a poor game on Friday night. Picture: Getty Images

“I’d back what he’s done over the last month.”

Cornes said Dixon enjoyed continuity so not playing for two weeks – through illness in the last minor round, then the pre-finals bye – was not ideal preparation for him.

Before that, the 33-year-old had kicked hauls of four, three and two during a five-game stretch.

Can Port Adelaide bounce back against the Hawks? Picture: Getty Images

“I thought his form leading into this was solid and he was playing a really good role for us,” Cornes said.

“I know how much he’ll want to turn that around.”

Forward Todd Marshall could come into the side after being overlooked for the Cats match in his return from concussion.

Marshall has played just once in the past eight weeks, coming off a hip strain against Gold Coast then suffering a head knock in the win over Melbourne in round 22.

“He’s good and trained really well last week,” Cornes said.

“He understood the reasons why he wasn’t picked, but he’ll be in the conversation next week, for sure.”

Originally published as AFL Finals: Silver lining shines out of Port Adelaide’s weekend from hell