Ken Hinkley has wielded the selection axe at Port Adelaide ahead of Saturday night’s game against top-of-the-table Geelong.
The current consecutive games record holder in the AFL and reigning best and fairest winner Justin Westhoff has paid the price for a lacklustre form line that he has been unable to break.
Since his five-goal haul in Round 1, Westhoff has only slotted four goals and has struggled to have any impact around the ground. Whether the out-of-contract veteran goes on to play into a 14th season next year is now highly questionable.
Youngsters Sam Powell-Pepper and Jarrod Lienert have also been dropped along with ruckman Paddy Ryder, who the club say will be rested, but the truth is he’s been dropped.
The future of Ryder, who is out of contract at the end of this season, and his relationship with Ken Hinkley and the football club is now showing signs of cracking.
With the addition of Scott Lycett to the squad this year, Ryder has been forced to spend 60% of his playing time as a tall forward - a move that hasn’t worked and one that Ryder hasn’t embraced.
He wants to be the number one ruck and is seeking a club that will afford him that opportunity.
Nearly 18% of Ryder’s hitouts have been to advantage this year, a number that Champion Data rates as elite. There are a handful of clubs that could use Ryder’s ruck craft.
Ryder’s management has already asked Port Adelaide for a two-year contract extension for the 31-year-old - a request that was quickly rejected by the club.
At best, the Power are prepared to offer Ryder a one-year, performance-based deal. Ryder is in the top three highest paid players at Port Adelaide this year.
Considering the selection events of this week, the development of young ruckmen Peter Ladhams and Sam Hayes, plus the fact Ryder is unhappy with his playing role in 2019 and his two-year contract request having been rejected - it appears highly likely Ryder will not be at Alberton next year.