Port not counting on Paddy, Monfries

NAB: Adelaide head into the start of the AFL season with confidence following a 24-point win over arch-rivals Port.

Paddy Ryder in action during a Port Adelaide practice match. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

PORT Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley is not even counting on former Essendon pair Paddy Ryder and Angus Monfries starting the AFL premiership season.

In total contrast to Essendon coach James Hird's bold claim no Bomber will be banned by the AFL anti-doping tribunal on Tuesday week, Hinkley has no certainty on how many names he will have on his selection whiteboard for the opening clash against Fremantle in Perth on Easter Sunday.

But Hinkley is prepared to gamble on three players who have had little or no pre-season action - key defender Jackson Trengove (shoulder), forward-midfielder Chad Wingard (knee) and midfielder Hamish Hartlett.

Hinkley's dilemma at selection was eased yesterday when midfielder Matt White was cleared of any injury after taking a heavy knock late in the summer Showdown closer to the pre-season.

Angus Monfries could be left out of Port Adelaide's Round 1 team. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

The wash-up from the derby - won by Adelaide by 24 points - is not without pain for the impressive Crows who today will learn from scans on young midfielder Brad Crouch's sore left foot that was injured while changing direction to evade a tackle in the first term.

Ryder and Monfries are under an ASADA provisional ban while the investigation on Essendon supplements program from 2012 reaches a conclusion with the AFL anti-doping panel. Hinkley remains blind on the outcome from Australian football's murkiest saga.

"I've not even entertained picking them to be honest because I don't know what is going to happen," Hinkley said.

"James Hird has lived (the saga). I haven't. James has seen every bit of information. I don't have enough information to make an accurate assessment.

Paddy Ryder arrived at Port Adelaide over the off-season. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

"All I know is that if Paddy and Angus are not available we have a good enough side to play. But they would be handy players to have."

Hinkley returns to Alberton today after a 1-2 win-loss pre-season without a sure 22 to consider for the resting start against the Dockers.

"I'd like to have everyone - all 45 - available, but ...," Hinkley said. "So you have to make decisions on key players who are out of the side (by injury) and we need to get back - are they the type of players who can come straight back?

"I've picked Jackson Trengove off a 10-week break twice before, so I have no problem with him. I'd be happy to pick Chad Wingard. Happy to pick Hartlett."

Ryder's expected absence from the first two-four games of the premiership season is eased by the pre-season form of key forward John Butcher who kicked five goals against the Crows.

"John can play, there is no doubt about that," Hinkley said. "He looks like a player, after doing 90 per cent of the pre-season, who is physically ready to compete. He still has a lot of work to do because he has not played much AFL footy. There will be good and bad days."

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