PATRICK Ryder's sparkling pre-season form has his Port Adelaide teammates talking, but it’s the partnership he'll form with Matthew Lobbe that's creating the real anticipation.
The Power trained on Monday morning in front of about 1000 supporters in bright sunshine at Alberton Oval.
They moved the ball slickly during the match simulation and Ryder's work rate was impressive in the warm conditions.
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He and Lobbe are tipped to form one of the most damaging ruck partnerships in the AFL this season, with Hamish Hartlett claiming the pair had the drive to be number one.
"[Paddy's] already done some pretty exciting things – his athleticism around the ground is amazing and to see him and Matthew Lobbe compete and then come together on the same team…has been really exciting to watch," Hartlett said.
"They've got the work ethic to become [the best] and I reckon they'll really feed off each other.
"Matt Lobbe's one of the most professional guys you'll see at a footy club, he works as hard as anyone at his craft
"[Ryder] just moves so smoothly across the ground and he's got great hands as well."
Young midfielder Ollie Wines' physical transformation has also raised eyebrows.
The two-time Gavin Wanganeen Medallist as the Power's best under-21 talent has slimmed down significantly, adding speed and improving his endurance.
Hartlett said the 20-year-old was still only just beginning to understand the full extent of his capability.
"He (Wines) has got 10-15kg on some of these other midfielders and he's starting to realise just how powerful and brutal he can be," he said.
"It's not great to be opposing him; I copped a couple of corkies from him last week – he sent me off the track early.
Homesick rookie Daniel Flynn was absent from training as he continues to weigh up his future with his family in Ireland.
Hartlett said several players had unsuccessfully attempted to contact the promising 20-year-old.
Flynn was granted extended leave after Christmas, and although the Power are hopeful he'll return to Australia, Hartlett said he needed space to think.
"Flynny's got some [homesickness] issues that he just wants to get on top of…a couple of the guys have tried to contact him but he's kept his distance a little bit," he said.
"We'll just let him be for the next couple of weeks until he makes his decision and then hopefully we can maintain friendships from there on.
"He certainly added a bit last year when he came into the group, he's a funny guy and got along with everyone.
"He’s an incredibly raw talent as well…we'd love to see him back,” said Hartlett.
