Connor Rozee and Jason Horne-Francis down for Port Adelaide after Eagles win
Port Adelaide is counting the cost of its comeback win over the Eagles, with Jason Horne-Francis potentially out for the season and Connor Rozee under an injury cloud.
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Port Adelaide star Jason Horne-Francis could miss the rest of the season after scans revealed he broke his foot during the win over West Coast on Sunday.
The Power could be hit by a double injury blow ahead of their grudge match against Hawthorn in Launceston with captain Connor Rozee unlikely to play due to a fracture in his hand.
Rozee was subbed out of the Eagles clash after coming from the field with a dislocated finger, but Horne-Francis played on after his second-quarter injury and starred with 15 disposals and three goals in a heated second half.
The 22-year-old midfielder is likely to undergo surgery and faces an extended stint on the sidelines, the Power confirmed on Monday.
“Horne-Francis sustained an acute fracture in his foot from an incident in Sunday’s game and is likely to require surgery,” a club statement said.
“A return timeline will become clearer in the coming days.
“ (Rozee) won’t require surgery and will be assessed throughout the week.”
Out-of-contract defender Ryan Burton is also unlikely to play again this season after he underwent a knee arthroscope.
Burton came from the field after experiencing soreness in his knee during a SANFL game at the end of last month.
The setbacks leave an almost bare cupboard for the Power as they approach their final six games under coach Ken Hinkley, including his farewell Showdown in round 20.
Sam Powell-Pepper (ACL), Todd Marshall (achilles), Esava Ratugolea (hamstring) and Dante Visentini (ankle) were among the six players who had already been ruled out for the season.
Aliir Aliir’s left knee was heavily strapped against West Coast and he came from the field for treatment during the first half, but the key defender was poised to travel to Tasmania to face the Hawks on Saturday.
“ (Aliir has) had a bit of a knee issue, has got a bit of tape on it at the moment, but his last quarter was pretty good,” Hinkley said on Sunday.
“I think he had six or seven intercepts … he was fine, he got through the game OK.”
Originally published as Connor Rozee and Jason Horne-Francis down for Port Adelaide after Eagles win