Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has revealed that All Australian ruckman Paddy Ryder will return next week against West Coast.
The dominant big man injured his Achilles in round one and the Power have been soundly bullied in the hitout department since, throwing guys like Charlie Dixon and Justin Westhoff into rucking cameos.
Speaking before his side's clash with North Melbourne, the Power coach was enlightened by a midweek conversation with his star ruckman.
โWeโve only had Paddy for two quarters of the season, so thatโs not much, but heโs tracking really well,โ Hinkley told the AFL Nation pregame show.
โHe sent me a text, and it was the best news Iโve had all week, and said he was flying.
โSo weโre looking forward to having Paddy back in the side next week.โ
Port Adelaide lost Hamish Hartlett to an ACL injury during the week, but Hinkley was proud of how his defender has responded.
โIt is a blow, but Hartlett straight away said thereโs a lot worse things that go on and so he dealt with it pretty well,โ he said.
โHeโs a really important part of our leadership, not just as an on-field leader, but off-field as well.
โHeโs had surgery and heโs ready to get on with the next phase, but thatโs footy.โ
Ryder will come up against Eagles star Nic Naitanui next week in a blockbuster ruckmen showdown.
