Port ruckman set to miss Tigers clash

Emerging Port Adelaide ruckman Sam Hayes has been struck down with illness and will miss the Power's clash tomorrow night against Richmond.

Hayes has played seven consecutive games for Port this year after making his debut in Round 5 following an injury to first-choice ruckman Scott Lycett.

The 22-year-old has been extremely serviceable for Ken Hinkley's side in Lycett's absence, averaging 29.3 hit-outs and just under eight disposals a game.

9 News Adelaide reporter Josh Money revealed that Hayes has a non-COVID related illness and failed to travel with the rest of the squad to Melbourne.

Bit of early team news out of Port Adelaide.
Ruckman Sam Hayes has been ill (non-covid related). Missed Captain's Run this morning and hasn't travelled to Melbourne. Power like to go in to Richmond clash a bit smaller, with poor weather expected at the MCG @9NewsAdel

— Josh Money (@joshmoney__) June 8, 2022

With Hayes absent, the Power doesn't have a recognised ruckman in the squad travelling to Melbourne, with mid-season recruit Brynn Teakle not travelling with the squad either.

It is expected that key forward trio Charlie Dixon, Todd Marshall and Jeremy Finlayson will likely share ruck duties against an in-form Toby Nankervis tomorrow night.

With rain expected in Melbourne during the day, the Power will likely line up with a smaller team to match the potentially slippery conditions.

The clash between Port and the Tigers will take place in Melbourne at 7:20 pm AEST tomorrow night.