Port Adelaide ruckman Paddy Ryder has suffered a depressed fracture in his right cheekbone.
Ryder clashed heads with teammate Robbie Gray when they both contested a loose ball in the club’s 21-point win over North Melbourne at Alberton.
Ouch!
— AFL (@AFL) March 9, 2019
Paddy Ryder was assisted off after a head clash with teammate Robbie Gray.#JLTSeries pic.twitter.com/uCPV21jmCi
But coach Ken Hinkley expects Ryder to be able to front up for Round 1.
“He is okay,” said the Power coach.
“It’s quite simple.
“It sounds a bit cold, but they (surgeons) will just flick that (depression) out.
“I’d say, realistically, he’s a more than good chance to play Round 1.”
The Power open their 2019 campaign against Melbourne on March 23.
