In a heart-wrenching turn of events at Alberton, Port Adelaide’s forward Jed McEntee faces the prospect of missing out on the semi-final clash against Hawthorn. The 23-year-old’s exclusion from the squad highlights a significant shift in strategy following the Power’s heavy 84-point defeat to Geelong last Thursday. With coach Ken Hinkley under pressure, he appears poised to opt for a taller forward line, leading to McEntee’s likely omission.
As the team gathered for training early on Thursday, McEntee was noticeably training apart from those slated for Friday night’s match. He was joined by Dylan Williams and other teammates not expected to feature in the upcoming game. Interestingly, first-round draftee Josh Sinn, who has been sidelined since Round 16, was also missing from the initial training session.
McEntee’s potential exclusion opens the door for Todd Marshall, who was an emergency last week, to make a return to the starting lineup. This move could also affect veteran Charlie Dixon’s position, though McEntee’s absence may not directly impact Dixon’s role.
Despite being a small forward known for his tenacity and defensive prowess, McEntee has been instrumental in Port Adelaide’s forward structure. Over the past two seasons, he has effectively neutralized some of the league’s top defenders, including five-time All-Australian Tom Stewart. His contribution to Port’s defensive strategies in the forward half has been significant.
In their previous encounter with Hawthorn, McEntee had a noteworthy performance against defender Josh Weddle, limiting him to just eight disposals. Since being picked up in the mid-season draft of 2021, McEntee has played 46 games for Port Adelaide, making him one of the standout stories of the AFL’s mid-season draft.
In more positive news for the Power, star midfielder Zak Butters has been cleared to play despite sustaining bruised ribs in the loss to Geelong. Coach Hinkley is expected to provide further updates later on Thursday, as the team prepares for their crucial semi-final match.
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