Port Adelaide will have to cope without veteran small forward/midfielder Robbie Gray for the next two months.
In his 250th game on the weekend, Gray sustained a knee injury in the 50-point victory over Gold Coast which will force the 33-year-old into surgery.
With Gray set to spend up to eight weeks on the sidelines after tearing the medial ligament in his left knee, a position has opened up in Ken Hinkley’s side.
Kane Cornes and Andrew Hayes discussed the possibility of Dylan Williams perhaps stepping into the role.
The 19-year-old 2019 draftee booted six of Port’s seven goals in their SANFL loss to Sturt, making a compelling case for an AFL debut.
“I would have thought a young man by the name of Dylan Williams,” Hayes said on SEN SA Breakfast.
“This is the time to turn it on. A small forward absolutely putting his hand up. Kicked six goals in the SANFL.
“A good return when your number one small forward goes down as well.”
Cornes said: “So the rest of the team kicked one goal?
“That’s amazing. Is he ready to go? It’s the first time really we’ve seen him put his name up in lights this year.
“He was a high draft pick (23), high talent. He’s had some injuries. They’re keen to play him and he’s the exact replacement for Robbie Gray, so we’ll wait and see.
“Ken Hinkley does love playing young players.”
Power assistant coach Nathan Bassett commented on the prospect of Wiliams making his debut against Sydney at the Adelaide Oval this Saturday night.
He describes the former Oakleigh Charger as an “interesting forward” given the role he plays.
“I guess there’s always a chance,” he said.
“Dylan had a very good performance on the weekend. He’s an interesting forward. Very similar to Robbie in terms of how he plays closer to goal.
“I wouldn’t say he’s tall, he’s 185 centimetres, but he probably plays taller than his size. People probably think of him as a small forward but he plays more like a marking forward.
“He’s certainly got some significant talent.”
Bassett indicated that Todd Marshall, who missed the Suns win with concussion, was expected back in the senior side for Round 15.
Also on the injury front, Orazio Fantasia will be out for another “week or two” with his knee issue and defender Tom Clurey remains another couple of weeks away from his return from a broken jaw.
First-year defender Lachie Jones will join Gray on the sidelines with a hamstring injury that is likely to keep him out for a month.