AFL Round 14 Port Adelaide v Melbourne: Live scores, updates and SuperCoach scores
Ahead of a debut against Melbourne, Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley says Mani Liddy’s form has warranted AFL selection for a while. Will the mid-season draftee hit the ground running?
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Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley is expecting debutant Mani Liddy to play a “significant role” despite only landing at the club in the mid-season draft.
Liddy was playing SANFL football just a few weeks ago before being selected by the Power with the No.16 pick.
The 23-year-old averaged 22.6 touches, five clearances and 3.4 tackles per game for Central District as a midfielder.
He then starred on debut for Power’s SANFL side, recording 25 touches, eight clearances, seven tackles, three inside 50s and a goal to earn a senior debut.
Hinkley said Liddy’s form throughout 2025 warranted senior selection, had he been on an AFL list already.
“It’s a great story, we’ve been really good at picking them and playing them pretty quickly over the last few years,” Hinkley said.
“Mani’s another great story.
“Anyone who has been playing at his level at SANFL football (that) would’ve been available to play in an AFL team, would’ve probably been picked before this week.
“His form, his first game in our team in the SANFL was outstanding and it’s almost too hard to ignore.
“He deserves his chance, I love the stories of persistence, of the boys that have to do it a little bit differently and fight their way back in.
“He’s certainly a hard worker and he’s an outnumber player so we think he’ll come in and play a significant role for us.”
Liddy will join a star-studded Port Adelaide midfield mix, with Jason Horne-Francis returning to join Zak Butters and Miles Bergman in the centre square.
Captain Connor Rozee has spent time in the middle and off half back this season and did the same in last week’s win over the Giants.
Jordon Sweet has been recalled for his first game in more than a month, set to pair with Dante Visentini in the battle against Max Gawn.
They get a chance to change the script against Port Adelaide today, a team Gawn has feasted on in recent times when it comes to SuperCoach – scoring 177 points in both games against the Power last year.
In the second Sunday game, West Coast hosts Carlton at Optus Oval to finish round 14.
Originally published as AFL Round 14 Port Adelaide v Melbourne: Live scores, updates and SuperCoach scores
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