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Port drops Watts for Bulldogs clash

Port Adelaide have dropped high-profile recruit Jack Watts for Thursday night’s AFL clash against the Western Bulldogs.

Jun 13, 2018, updated Jun 13, 2018
Ken Hinkley says Jack Watts (right) hasn't been in great form. Photo: AAP/Tracey Nearmy

Ken Hinkley says Jack Watts (right) hasn't been in great form. Photo: AAP/Tracey Nearmy

The former No.1 draft pick has not done enough to warrant selection, Power coach Ken Hinkley says.

“Jack knows his form hasn’t been at the level he would like it to be,” Hinkley told reporters today.

Hinkley also said fellow forward Jake Neade had been omitted and defender Tom Jonas would miss a match with a hamstring injury.

Jack Hombsch will replace Jonas while Lindsay Thomas and Todd Marshall will return to the team after strong displays in the SANFL.

“Their form has been really strong and obviously there comes a point where great form – we like to reward a winning team, everyone knows that me – but there’s a point where you also need to reward the form underneath,” Hinkley said.

“Everyone knows Todd Marshall is an exciting young player. He’s had some unfortunate stuff to deal with, personal tragedies, but as soon as he was available we’re gonna want him back in the side.

“Now you can’t fit everyone in, it’s as simple as that.”

Bulldogs ironman Dale Morris is out because of knee surgery, meaning fresh speculation about the 35-year-old’s football future.

Morris made a stunning AFL comeback at the start of the month, after partially tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the pre-season.

But the premiership defender, one of the AFL’s toughest players, needed an arthroscopy on the same knee.

While the Bulldogs insist this is separate to his ACL injury and also say the operation is a minor procedure, they are unsure how long he will be sidelined.

– with AAP

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