Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley is daring Hawthorn to attack the sore ribs of star AFL midfielder Zak Butters in their semi-final on Friday night.
“I say go for it,” Hinkley told reporters on Thursday.
“Unlike some people, I know Zak is a tough player, a really tough player.
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“He won’t take a step backwards.”
Butters suffered a rib injury and was substituted just after half-time of Port’s 84-point capitulation to Geelong in last Thursday night’s qualifying final.
Power legend Kane Cornes was shocked the incident that caused the injury was enough for the typically combative midfielder to be subbed out.
Cornes said Butters needed to be able to play through it for a final in which his side was struggling.
“They’re not things that I need to worry about,” Hinkley said.
“All I need to know, and what I do know, is Zak is an incredibly tough player.
“(He has been) voted the most courageous player in the competition over the last few years by his peers — it’s a pretty good recommendation.”
Hinkley defended his captain Connor Rozee, whose underwhelming 16-disposal performance against the Cats also attracted criticism.
“I don’t think it’s fair, but I think it’s part of the journey, I think that’s what happens when you don’t perform,” Hinkley said.
“And we all get criticised whether that be Connor, whether that be me, Zak, whoever.
“It’s about the collective. It’s the whole group that copped the criticism of that and some individuals get pointed out.”
Hinkley also dismissed media criticism for starting the game with Jason Horne-Francis on the bench for the qualifying final.
“Seven weeks in a row he’s been there — it doesn’t mean he’ll be there this week but he’s been there seven weeks,” he said.
“And you know what happens … I’m sitting here going, well, do I put him on the bench or don’t I put him on the bench (against Hawthorn) because the media, people will say, ‘We got it right, told you so’.
“You haven’t got it right. Go back and review some of the articles and stories that you’ve written, not just in this room, but all across the footy season.
“They’re quite remarkable what you’re allowed to get away with saying.”
Speaking to 7NEWS Adelaide on Wednesday, Horne-Francis himself said he actually enjoyed starting on the bench and coming on when the sting was taken out of the quarter.
