Port's call to arms as emotions run high for Giants

West Australian

21 hours ago

GWS defender Lachie Ash understands exactly the emotional call to arms driving Port Adelaide.
The Power may be in 15th (4-7) but Ash expects the proud club to come out fighting in Canberra on Saturday, saying there's no mistaking the players' desire to send long-time coach Ken Hinkley out a winner.
Hinkley, after 13 seasons at the helm, will hand over the reins to assistant coach Josh Carr at the end of this season.
The 58-year-old has remained defiant despite a rocky start to the year, rubbishing rumours he will step down early as coach after the club's mid-season bye.
Ash says he can understand the emotional fuel for Port, pointing to former coach Leon Cameron's final year in 2022 after nine seasons at GWS.
"When you know your coach is in his last year - I think back to when Leon was here and we weren't going that well, but you just wanted to go really well for Leon," Ash told AAP.
"Ken would mean an enormous amount to a lot of those players.
"He's been there a very long time and, without getting the ultimate success, he's been a very successful coach.
"They'll want to fight. They probably haven't had the best month that they've wanted, but they'll come out firing."
The Giants have their own call to arms after club stalwart Callan Ward, 35, suffered an ACL tear during their comeback win over Richmond.
The 327-gamer had put off retirement last year and signed a one-season deal, still yearning to win a maiden premiership with the club.
GWS are seventh (7-5) on percentage.
"It's probably a little bit early to play that card (playing for Ward), but that'll definitely be a theme as the year goes on a little bit," Ash said.
"When we get into finals, that might ring a bit truer to a few more guys.
"But I know I'll definitely be taking a piece of 'Wardy' out with me on the weekend and trying to empower that a little bit."
Averaging 28.7 disposals, Ash has emerged as the club's breakout star with his form putting him in early contention for All-Australian honours.
Drafted in 2019 with pick No.4, the 23-year-old says his frustration with last season's straight-set finals exits and encounters with injuries had sparked his career-best start.
"It lit a fire over the summer period to get back, and I put a lot of work into my body over the summer and just (tapping into) the anger," Ash said.
"If you look at guys who I was drafted with, those guys have been probably in that (All-Australian) conversation for a couple of years now, and I wasn't.
"That's something that gives you a little bit of extra motivation.
"It's nice to know that I'm capable of playing that footy, and now you believe in yourself a little bit more."
Nick Madden will make his AFL debut with No.1 ruckman Kieren Briggs injured (ankle), while small forward Brent Daniels returns from an abdominal injury.
Giants Academy product Madden, 21, was drafted in 2022 as a rookie.
Esava Ratugolea, Kane Farrell and Josh Sinn return for Port, with Logan Evans, Ollie Lord and Rory Atkins making way.