Key Defender Alipate Carlile - ready to stand Kurt Tippett on the weekend. Source: News Limited
PORT Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has nominated Alipate Carlile and young defender Jack Hombsch to work a tag team on new Sydney and former Crows forward Kurt Tippett at AAMI Stadium tomorrow.
But for all the attention on Tippett's return to AFL football - and Adelaide - after an 11-week ban for salary cap and draft rorting, Hinkley says the Power has more to worry about than Tippett.
"This is a great side Sydney, we are playing the premiership team and the one that has shown form this year that would suggest they are one of the favourites to do that again," said Hinkley. "It is a great challenge for us."
Hinkley noted the Power's 30-point win against the Swans in the pre-season would fill his team with confidence to score Port's first win in a premiership match against Sydney since 2006.
"We can take something from the NAB Cup because Sydney was a strong side that day," he said. "We were a strong side that day too with just a couple of players missing from each team. We take some confidence out of the fact that we know if we can compete with them, we will be okay."
Hinkley dismissed concern for Carlile's fitness after the key defender missed the Power's main training session on Wednesday.
"I did read there is some concern because he did not train on Wednesday, but it was a six-day break (from the 75-point win against Greater Western Sydney) and it is not unusual - and today you will see there is nothing wrong with him," said Hinkley. "He just took a bit of management on Wednesday."
Hinkley admitted his mind has been too concerned with dealing with the on-field match-ups to have time to think of the off-field sales pitch to Crows fans.
"I haven't given that any thought at all," said Hinkley of appealing to Crows fans to buy tickets to jeer Tippett. "I've been more worried about Port Adelaide fans turning up for Port Adelaide."
Port will be led by vice-captain Brad Ebert in the absence of skipper Travis Boak (dislocated finger). The midfielder will be the first Ebert to lead the club since Brad's uncle, four-time Magarey Medalist Russell Ebert, was in charge in 1985.
Meanwhile, Brad Ebert will lead Port Adelaide tomorrow - as the first Ebert to captain the club since 1985 and six months after the Power preferred 11 "acting captains" without him.
This new vote of confidence is not lost on the former West Coast midfielder as Ebert prepares to direct the Power in the biggest challenge in the AFL - facing league premier Sydney, a team that has owned Port with consecutive wins since 2006.
Source: Getty Images
"It is a great honour ... and it is exciting," said Ebert who takes charge in the absence of captain Travis Boak, who has a dislocated finger on his right hand.
"To step up and take over as captain is a good challenge for me and I'm looking forward to it.
"Last year I was fresh in the club and still maturing ... but after another pre-season and working with Travis and (former captain) Dom (Cassisi) has let me learn to grow and take that responsibility."
Brad's uncle, four-time Magarey Medallist Russell Ebert, was the last Ebert to have the captain's honour at Alberton in 1985 when he was captain-coach of the Magpies in the SANFL.
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