PORT Adelaide co-captain Ollie Wines could be watching Showdown 47 from the grandstand as the inconsistent Power prepare to swing the changes ahead of Saturday's crucial clash with cross-town rival Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.
The Crows are also likely to have a different look, with link-up forward Tom Lynch (calf), big-bodied midfielder Cam Ellis-Yolmen (shin) and exciting utility Wayne Milera (calf) on track to return from injury.
While both sides are desperate to get back in the winner's circle, there is more heat on the 7-7 Power, who dropped out of the top-eight after their disappointing 25-point defeat to the Western Bulldogs last Saturday night.
Cam Ellis-Yolmen celebrates a goal with Rory Atkins and Wayne Milera. Picture: AFL Photos
Experienced heads Tom Rockliff – with 57 disposals in the SANFL – Justin Westhoff (37 touches and three goals) and Paddy Ryder, along with third-year midfielder Sam Powell-Pepper pushed their case for recalls, while swingman Dougal Howard and speedster Karl Amon will return from suspension.
AROUND THE STATE LEAGUES Veteran Dog returns, Port stars dominate
The possible additions of Amon, Rockliff and Powell-Pepper will put the heat on Wines, who had just 12 touches against the 'Dogs in his second game back from missing six weeks with a broken leg.
He also missed the first two games of the season after having shoulder surgery after a water-skiing accident on Australia Day.
"When you miss such a large amount of footy as he has, it's going to take its toll," fellow Power co-captain Tom Jonas told reporters on Monday morning.
We didn't perform at AFL level and the Magpies have a pretty convincing victory against North Adelaide, so there will definitely be some selection issues - Tom Jonas
"AFL is a pretty demanding game and sometimes it takes you a couple of games to adjust to that.
"I'd expect a massive response and he'd be eager to bounce back.
"We didn't perform at AFL level and the Magpies have a pretty convincing victory against North Adelaide, so there will definitely be some selection issues."
The sixth-placed Crows (8-6) have their own concerns after conceding seven goals to three in the second half of their 27-point loss to the Cats.
Co-captain Rory Sloane said Lynch, Milera and Ellis-Yolmen were looking like they could return, while co-captain Taylor Walker should be right despite a minor elbow injury.
The Crows have had the wood on the Power in recent times, winning seven of the past eight Showdowns, including a 20-point victory in round eight this year.
"We're always wary of Port, especially in Showdowns," Sloane said.
"They're always brutal games and you know it's going to be hot because there's a bit of South Australian pride on the line and that's why we love playing them because they are a finals-like atmosphere.
"Regardless of the result on the weekend, it's always going to be a hot game."
Jonas said he wasn't shocked by coach Ken Hinkley's post-game comments, when he labelled the Power unreliable and untrustworthy.
The Power haven't won back-to-back games since rounds five and six.
"Kenny's not saying anything that we don't already recognise," Jonas said.
"When we walk off the ground from a disappointing defeat, having gone win, loss, win, loss for a fair while, we know the reality, so he's just saying what we're thinking."
