PORT Adelaide will unleash two specialist ruckmen against reigning premier Richmond in what promises to be a major test of its premiership credentials on Saturday.
ROUNDS 11-13 Check out the full fixture
Scott Lycett will return from a knee injury that's sidelined him since round six to play his 100th game and partner emerging big man Peter Ladhams against Ivan Soldo, Mabior Chol and the Tigers at Adelaide Oval.
Captain Tom Jonas and vice-captain Ollie Wines, who are close friends, are also bringing up their 150th games in the clash, which coach Ken Hinkley said was "remarkable".
"It's a challenge for teams (to play two ruckmen), but we think with Pete's and Scott's flexibility to be able to go forward and help us with a tall, that's something we have to explore," he said.
"They both hunt the ball really well around the contest and give us extra ground-level support, and against a side like Richmond we're going to need a bit of extra help around the ball."
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Lycett and Jarrod Lienert will be the Power's two inclusions, for veteran Justin Westhoff (omitted) and ex-Lion Sam Mayes (suspension).
Senior regulars Brad Ebert (concussion), Ryan Burton (quadriceps) and Steven Motlop (ankle) all remain at least another week away.
Hinkley welcomed the challenge Richmond presented for his top-ranked side.
"It's pretty big – they're the champs," he said.
"Let's be honest, they're the team everyone's trying to beat. Nothing short of our absolute best will get the job done and I think we're ready to have a crack at it.
"We're going to challenge them with our game as best we possibly can. We need to find out (where we're at) against the best team in the competition over the past three years."
