AFL 2022: Port Adelaide injury news and selection updates
A former Brisbane Lion looms as the man to replace injured Port star Aliir Aliir, although the Power are considering another shock switch to fix their defensive issues.
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Port Adelaide assistant coach Nathan Bassett says the Power will weigh up a straight swap or moving the magnets to help fill the void of star defender Aliir Aliir, who was sent in for surgery with ankle syndesmosis.
Recruit Sam Skinner is one option who could come in for Aliir as the Power deal with a spate of injuries in the loss against Brisbane.
Bassett said the Power could even look at sending forwards Jeremy Finlayson and Todd Marshall down back with their key defender stocks now looking thin.
With Tom Clurey on the sidelines for five to six weeks after arthroscopic surgery, it opens the door for ex-Brisbane swingman Skinner to make his debut for the Power.
Skinner came to the Power via free agency last year, after three games in four years for the Lions.
The 24-year-old has suffered three ACL injuries in his young career so far, and played with South Adelaide in the SANFL last year where he caught the Power’s attention.
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Bassett said Skinner had impressed in training and in the Power’s trial games and would leave no stone unturned to try and replace Aliir.
“He (Aliir) has been outstanding so he will be difficult to replace,” Bassett said.
“But Sam does have a similar mindset in terms of the way he goes for the ball in the air, the way he intercept marks.
“He is as hard as a cat’s head, if he plays he will give us everything he has but clearly we are looking to replace an All-Australian defender.”
But, while the Power have lost one of their key players, what was feared to be a lengthy injury list may not eventuate ahead of their first game at home against Hawthorn this weekend.
Aliir hurt his ankle on Saturday night and, while he was able to play on, scans have confirmed he suffered a syndesmosis injury - a high ankle sprain - and he went in for surgery on Monday.
He could be out for up to two months, although Bassett was hopeful he could be back in around a month.
But while the news wasn’t good regarding Aliir, the Power received a boost on the injury front, with Xavier Duursma and Trent McKenzie, remarkably, in contention to face Hawthorn on Saturday night.
Young wingman Duursma was still in significant pain on Sunday morning after being involved in a big collision with Brisbane’s Mitch Robinson, but scans have been unable to find any crack or fracture in his collarbone.
Brisbane will appeal the one-match ban offered to Robinson for the incident.
McKenzie was carted off after landing awkwardly but scans have revealed he has hyper-extended his knee rather than any structural damage.
Bassett said he was still in the mix to take on Hawthorn.
But if McKenzie isn’t able to get up for the game, it will leave the Power light on for key defenders alongside skipper Tom Jonas.
Outside of Skinner, Jake Pasini is in waiting and, while he is highly rated, he hasn’t played a massive amount of games over the past three years.
Bassett said both Ryan Burton and Lachie Jones could play tall, and didn’t close the door on flicking a Finlayson or Marshall back.
“I think there are opportunities for us whether it is Jeremy or Todd to play them in defence but Sam is certainly acquitted himself very well since he has come to the club,” he said.
“I think there are a lot of defenders in the AFL that were once forwards so there is always an opportunity for people to keep playing footy but right now they are in the forward line.”
Connor Rozee (ankle) and Robbie Gray (knee) are also in contention to take on Hawthorn, while Bassett wasn’t sure yet as to Charlie Dixon’s availability.
Bassett said No. 12 draft pick Josh Sinn could also be in line to make his debut against the Hawks.
“Josh has had a good pre-season, he played well in our trial matches despite playing half a game,” he said.
“He hasn’t played a lot of footy over the past two years because of the Covid issues leading in.
“He has a small sample side but he definitely has some qualities as a player and a person that we feel can make our footy club better.”
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Originally published as AFL 2022: Port Adelaide injury news and selection updates
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