FREE AGENT Jackson Trengove remains an enthusiastic part of Port Adelaide's squad despite the Power's decision to leave him out of the team set to face West Coast in Saturday night's elimination final at Adelaide Oval.
Trengove, 27 and a restricted free agent, was dropped from the senior side in round 21 and hasn't played at senior level since.
He was overlooked – along with Aidyn Johnson – in favour of versatile option Jarman Impey for the clash, despite the tall challenges the Eagles pose at both ends of the ground.
Trengove also has experience in five finals, whereas Port's 22 selected includes eight players who will line up for their first.
Assistant coach Matthew Nicks said Trengove, who trained with the squad of 25 in Friday's captain's run at Adelaide Oval, hadn't dropped his head despite his continued omission.
"His attitude is outstanding … the way he's behaved around the club, he's stepped up even stronger in the leadership side," Nicks said.
"The way he performs for our Magpies side, the way he goes about things off field, he's the ultimate professional.
"We can't ask for more, and it makes us stronger because our younger players see that and learn from it.
"When his time comes, and we hope it will, he'll be ready to go."
Victorian Trengove is out of contract, and has been heavily linked to Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs.
Nicks said the Power had simply stuck to their season mantra of rewarding a winning team when it came to selection, and Trengove hadn't done anything wrong to warrant missing out.
"It was a hard decision, it was line-ball – there's other areas 'Jacko' could have added to the group and we know he can pinch-hit in the ruck, and there are strengths he has from an experience point of view," he said.
"But we made the decision to stick with the group that are getting it done for us at the moment.
"'Jacko' is right there and making us stronger from the point of view that he's ready to go, he's been outstanding with the way his character has shone through.
"He's played some really good footy and he's knocking on the door saying 'I'm ready when you guys are ready to pick me'."
Nicks said the other "line-ball" decision to include Impey over Johnson was to ensure coverage in a range of areas.
"There's a little bit more security with 'Jars' if something goes haywire in other areas, he gives us a little bit more cover and flexibility because he can play down back and on ball and forward.
"We felt for this week it was important we had that … the last thing we want is for something to go wrong in another area and not have cover."
Nicks said defender Dougal Howard was ready to go despite appearing ginger during Friday's session.
"'Dougs' is fine. It's up to the guys how much they want to move through a captain's run, we don't put any limitations on how much they can or can't do," Nicks said.
"Don't take too much out of how they're moving."
