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Port coach flags AFL selection changes

3 minute read

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has hinted at selection changes to arrest the AFL club's slide down the ladder.

KEN HINKLEY the coach of the Power looks on during a Port Adelaide Power AFL training session at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, Australia.
KEN HINKLEY the coach of the Power looks on during a Port Adelaide Power AFL training session at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, Australia. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley is forecasting selection changes in a bid to arrest his team sliding from AFL finals contention.

The Power have lost four of their past six games to sit in ninth spot on the ladder.

"We need to change some things up and be adventurous," Hinkley told SEN radio on Tuesday.

Hinkley said he was considering a recall for ruck-forward Paddy Ryder, who was dropped after round 13 as Port seek to avoid another late-season slump.

Last year, the Power crashed from fourth spot to missing the finals when losing seven of their last eight games and Hinkley was determined to avoid a repeat.

"It's important we play finals," he said.

"We set out to do that at the start of the year, that's where our mark is.

"And it shouldn't just be our pass mark, that's our minimum. We are working bloody hard to play finals."

The Power haven't managed consecutive wins since rounds five and six and have lost their past two matches.

Port co-captain Ollie Wines (broken thumb) faces a fitness test later this week but the club will be without Ryan Burton and Brad Ebert for lengthy periods.

Ebert could miss the rest of the season because of a knee injury expected to sideline him for up to eight weeks while Burton has been listed as unavailable for up to six weeks because of a hamstring tear.

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