Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has dismissed considerations his gamers will not be up for a Showdown struggle as they cross swords with fierce rivals Adelaide.
The Energy are reeling from a humiliating demolition by the hands of the Western Bulldogs in spherical eight, after they have been torn aside within the midfield.
Hinkley’s response was to swing the choice axe – dropping Jordon Candy, Will Lorenz, Logan Evans and Joe Berry – whereas Willie Rioli can be out.
Ryan Burton, Josh Sinn and first-year participant Christian Moraes return, with Dante Visentini and Jed McEntee to play their first senior video games of the season.
“I am very snug that this group will flip up able to play, as they at all times have accomplished over my journey,” Hinkley instructed reporters on Friday.
“I stay up for nothing (much less) than that.
“Fifty-six Showdowns, 28-all. Who’s going to be in entrance?
“That is what we wish to know.”
Adelaide (5-3) smashed Carlton at residence final week are heat favourites to beat Port (4-4) within the first assembly between the arch-enemies since sparks flew in August final 12 months.
That conflict – which led to a 22-point Energy victory – reached its flashpoint when Dan Houston flattened Crows ahead Izak Rankine.
Port’s 90-point loss to the Bulldogs final week was the second-heaviest defeat of Hinkley’s 13-year tenure, following a 91-point shellacking from Collingwood in spherical one.
“We have had actually poor performances and performed two actually good groups in each these video games,” Hinkley stated.
“However in a lot of the different six video games we have had moments the place we have been actually sturdy for durations after which the opposition have been capable of come again.
“Our win-loss document is fairly correct with how our season’s been; it is form of break-even.
“We have not been nice, we have not been horrible.”
Port have a constructive latest document of bouncing again from drubbings, having gained their previous 4 video games in response to losses by greater than 40 factors.
“You have to go and do it, and most of the time we do,” Hinkley stated.
“We had a pleasant, strong begin to final week and we have been then badly crushed in unfamiliar territory that we simply did not cope effectively with.
“Sometimes we have been higher than that, so I do help the boys to know that they’re going to be higher than that.”
In distinction to Port’s 5 modifications, a settled Adelaide have made only one, with Mitch Hinge getting back from suspension instead of veteran Brodie Smith.
Rioli will not play within the Showdown, having introduced his resolution to sit down out earlier than the AFL handed him a one-match ban.
It got here within the fallout from Rioli’s threatening message to Western Bulldogs participant Bailey Dale and a league probe into verbal threats Rioli allegedly made to a Geelong and an Essendon participant.
Hinkley stated the saga had not been a distraction within the build-up to one of many largest video games of the Energy’s season.
“I am making ready the staff for a Showdown,” Hinkley stated.
“(Port soccer boss) Chris (Davies) has accomplished an amazing job of managing all of the stuff that he at all times does each week between the AFL and the membership.
“I have been capable of concentrate on the sport with a little bit help and care there for Willie.”
