Port Adelaide was hit with two injury setbacks at the worst possible time during Saturday night’s Qualifying Final against Brisbane.
Just 45 seconds after Darcy Byrne-Jones was subbed out for tactical purposes during the third quarter — a timeline revealed by coach Ken Hinkley post-match — the Power copped two more blows to Dylan Williams (hamstring) then Trent McKenzie (ankle).
McKenzie’s setback initially looked more severe, with the defender landing awkwardly on his already injured and heavily snapped left leg in a marking contest.
He had to be helped from the ground by club medicos as McKenzie grimaced in pain in what seemed to be a brutal setback for Ken Hinkley’s side.
But in a sigh of relief for the Power, McKenzie returned to the game in the fourth term and played out the game, with Hinkley confirming post-match it was a recurring ankle injury.
It came not long after Dylan Williams’ night ended prematurely due to a hamstring issue, seen with ice on the area on the interchange.
“That’s terrible luck for Port Adelaide,” Channel 7 caller Alister Nicholson said.
It left the Power at one stage with just two on the bench thereafter as Brisbane really got hold of them late in the third and ballooned out its lead, all while Byrne-Jones sat on the interchange healthy.
Fair to say Hinkley would’ve regretted he held off on that sub a little longer, 45 seconds, to be precise.
“About 45 seconds after the form was lodged (to sub off Byrne-Jones) – which once you’ve lodged the form you can‘t change it,” Hinkley told reporters post-match.
“We asked that question because Dylan come off with what appears to be a soft hamstring and he wasn’t going back on so that took one out. It ended up being Trent, another defender and we took Darcy out who was obviously a defensive option for us.
“But that’s just what happens. Roll of the dice.”
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