Port Adelaide enforcer Sam Powell-Pepper will not play again this season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in Friday night’s win over St Kilda. Powell-Pepper landed awkwardly in a marking contest, with scans on Saturday confirming a torn ACL.
“We are incredibly disappointed for Sam,” Port Adelaide’s head of medical services Tim O’Leary said.
“Sam is a dedicated and diligent athlete who attacks his training with unrelenting intensity and will no doubt approach his rehab the same way.
Sam Powell-Pepper leaves the field on Friday night.Credit: Getty Images
“He will continue to be as involved as he can, as a leader and important member of our playing group.
“It’s such a tough injury for a footballer to go through. We’re all behind him and we know he’ll come out the other side stronger and more determined.“
Powell-Pepper was only playing his third game since serving a four-match suspension for a high bump during a pre-season hitout.
In a further blow, Port Adelaide captain Connor Rozee faces a battle to be fit for Thursday’s Showdown after the club confirmed he suffered a low-grade hamstring strain.
The 24-year-old will be assessed during the week.
The Power will be without Aliir Aliir for the clash against the Crows at Adelaide Oval after the key defender was concussed against St Kilda.
Aliir has been placed into concussion protocols after a tackle by St Kilda small forward Jack Higgins in the second term.
Higgins faces a nervous wait to learn if he will be cited by the match review officer for a dangerous tackle.
Meanwhile, Power skipper Connor Rozee is in doubt for next weekend’s Showdown, after scans confirmed a low-grade hamstring strain.
Larkey ends a run of three-straight Crows’ goals with a major after the half-time siren, his second. But the Kangaroos still trail by 35 points.
Jordan Dawson has been superb for the Crows, with a team-high 10 disposals, five score involvements, four inside 50s, and 352 metres gained.
High fives: The Crows are in control at half-time.Credit: Getty Images
Darcy Tucker completes a left-foot snap to ensure the Kangaroos’ remain in touch. The Roos had momentum, with their wingmen pushing further into attack. But, wait, just as we say that … the Kangaroos have made a major mistake in defence, an intercept leading to Cook’s third goal. The Crows lead by 29 points. Make that 35, after Walker fakes his opponent outside 50, then plays on and drills another bomb.
Nick Larkey has been moved into the ruck, while Harry Sheezel has just laid a bone-jarring tackle, with Sheezel spending time further afield than his customary spot at half-back. Alastair Clarkson needs to make some moves – the Roos trail by 30 points.
A superb pick-up by Rankine leads to an easy Cook goal, the Crows extending their lead to 22 points. Make that 28, after Walker is involved in a play which leads to a set shot for Chayce Jones, who drills a bomb from 50m. The Crows have lifted a gear. Danger signs for the Kangaroos.
New boy on the block …
Deep breath: North Melbourne debutant Riley Hardeman assesses the situation.Credit: Getty Images
It’s been an impressive early start by the Kangaroos to the second term. They avoided falling three goals behind when Taylor Walker missed a long set shot.
Texan time: Taylor Walker has made a strong start against the Kangaroos.Credit: Getty Images
Nick Larkey remains on his feet after contesting a mark, takes a handball from a teammate, and then snaps the Kangaroos’ third goal. That’s the sign of a class forward, as the 2023 All Australian is. Luke Davies-Uniacke is starting to get busy – the Kangaroos trail by 14 points.
The Crows have been forced into an early move, for Luke Pedlar has injured his shoulder and won’t play again this afternoon. Ned McHenry has been substituted in.
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