PORT Adelaide's star ruckman Paddy Ryder will "miss some time" after sustaining an Achilles injury in the Power's 50-point win against Fremantle at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
Ryder left the game in the third quarter and didn't return.
It’s a big blow to the Power after the 29-year-old earned All Australian selection last year and won the club's best and fairest.
"His Achilles is sore, clearly," Power coach Ken Hinkley told reporters.
"He couldn't go on in the second half, I'd say he'll miss some time, there's no doubt.
"It's just a matter of managing it now.
"Paddy's had a history of Achilles (injuries), he has done for probably four or five years.
"It is what it is.
"We move on, we recover and rehab Paddy the best we possibly can, but not with a rush, we look after him.
"He's too valuable."
WATCH: Ken Hinkley's full post-match media conference
Ryder will have scans on Monday to determine the extent of the damage.
Veteran swingman Justin Westhoff did a serviceable job for Ryder when he left the game, and could take on the role for next Sunday's round two encounter with Sydney at the SCG.
Other avenues at Hinkley's disposal include moving key defender Dougal Howard into the ruck, where he has played previously, or calling up one of untried trio Billy Frampton, Peter Ladhams or Sam Hayes.
"We'll look at that, we had them all play last night (in a SANFL trial)," Hinkley said.
"We basically played with 'Westy' (Westhoff) in the second half, so that's an option, too.
"We won't rush people who are not ready, we'll make decisions based on what's right for us."
The Power's off-season recruiting spree paid immediate dividends.
Jack Watts kicked 3.3 from six scoring shots, Steven Motlop booted two spectacular goals and was lively through the midfield, Tom Rockliff (12 disposals) eased his way into the game after having an interrupted pre-season with a knee injury and ex-Demon Dom Barry (22 disposals) impressed with his outside run.
"They added to us didn't they, and that was the pleasing part," Hinkley said.
"Jack, Steven, Tom and Dom Barry all added something to us and I thought some of the younger blokes showed their growth – Dougal (Howard) and Riley Bonner (31 disposals) and Todd Marshall (four goals) – it wasn't just the more experienced players.
"And then you get some consistency out of some proven performers as we have."
The Power's three-pronged tall forward line of Marshall, Watts and Charlie Dixon (1.3) combined for eight of the team's 16 goals, going against the trend of having a mosquito fleet of pacy forwards who focus on tackling pressure.
"It can work, you play with what you have," Hinkley said.
"I don't think any side is any different.
"You ask Richmond and Damien (Hardwick), he plays with what he's got.
"At the moment, we have some great options in our tall forwards, and hopefully we can continue to play with."
The Power will regain All Australian small forward Robbie Gray from suspension for next Sunday's clash with Sydney at the SCG.
