PORT ADELAIDE has received a timely boost ahead of Saturday night’s blockbuster, with the inclusion of ruckman Matthew Lobbe in the side to take on the Hawks.
Lobbe was in doubt during the week with a calf injury sustained in his teams Round 7 victory over the Giants, a complaint that sidelined him from the stirring Round 8 victory over Fremantle.
After training strongly this week, however, Lobbe has been cleared to play and Coach Ken Hinkley was in no hesitation to bring him back into his ladder-leading side.
The young ruckman is a key inclusion for the Power, as he has taken on and made the number one ruck role his own this season.
He has impressed with his tap work and ability to give his midfielders first use, particularly at the centre bounce.
The Power are ranked third this season for centre bounce clearances and much of that is due to Lobbe’s ability to break even or win the ruck duels in the middle of the ground.
Lobbe is ranked ninth overall in the competition for hit outs, averaging 27.9 per game. He also adds to their clearance-winning ability, averaging 2.7 clearances and 1.3 centre clearances.
He is ranked fifth in both categories at his club.
His value though, isn’t just in his ruck and stoppage work but also in his ability to win the ball around the ground.
Lobbe averages 10.1 disposals and is ranked third at the club for tackles.
He has also kicked four goals this year, two of which came against the big win over Geelong in Round 6, where he was one of the best afield.
Former Hawthorn ruckman Brent Renouf is the man to make way for the Power big man.
The teams
PORT ADELAIDE
B: Jack Hombsch, Alipate Carlile, Jarman Impey
HB: Matthew Broadbent, Jackson Trengove, Jasper Pittard
C: Jared Polec, Travis Boak, Kane Cornes
HF: Aaron Young, Justin Westhoff, Angus Monfries
F: Robbie Gray, Jay Schulz, Chad Wingard
FOLL: Matthew Lobbe, Ollie Wines, Brad Ebert
I/C: Matt White, Hamish Hartlett, Dom Cassisi, Kane Mitchell
EMG: Paul Stewart, Jake Neade, Benjamin Newton
IN: Matthew Lobbe,
OUT: Brent Renouf (omitted)
HAWTHORN
B: M.Suckling R.Schoenmakers T.Duryea
HB: W.Langford B.Stratton G.Birchall
C: J.Lewis L.Hodge L.Shiels
HF: I.Smith J.Gunston B.Hill
F: P.Puopolo D.Hale L.Breust
FOLL: B.McEvoy B.Sewell S.Burgoyne
I/C: M.Hallahan J.Ceglar B.Hartung J.Simpkin
Emerg: K.Cheney A.Woodward T.O’Brien
IN: L.Hodge, B.Sewell, L.Shiels, J.Ceglar
OUT: J.Roughead (suspension), J.Gibson (shoulder), C.Rioli (hamstring), K.Cheney (omitted)
