PORT ADELAIDE captain Connor Rozee will test the pain threshold on his broken left hand before declaring his availability for Saturday night's Showdown LVIII at Adelaide Oval.
His eagerness to play in the derby reflects Port Adelaide’s mission to make the last five games of the AFL home-and-away series count as a launching pad to a new campaign in 2026.
“That’s the plan,” said Rozee at Alberton on Monday afternoon.
“We had a short turnaround last week (to the away clash with Hawthorn) - only six days. It was not quite enough time to let (the hand) settle down … and conditions were pretty brutal in Tasmania.”
Rozee intends to make Wednesday evening’s training session at Alberton his test.
“If we are all happy, I’ll be good to go,’” said Rozee stressing the final decision will not rest on him alone.
“It will be about the pain threshold. It is a broken bone so there always will be a little bit (of pain) there. Fortunately, it is in a decent spot. We will reassess after we finish training on Wednesday.
“For the past week, the plan was to give the hand as much rest as possible. From (Tuesday), that (work with footballs etc) will pick up.
“Everyone (will have a say in the final decision). Clearly, I am the one who feels the pain. I’ll have most of the say in this one, but the conversations will be with everyone.”
LESSON LEARNED: Rozee is not looking back at last year’s misplaced decision to enter a Showdown with a hamstring strain.
“Not really … this one is a fair bit different to last year,” Rozee said. “That was a soft-tissue injury which I had not done before and did not know how to approach it.
“This one is different and there are a few things we can do to manage the pain - and you can play through it a fair bit.”
THE RIVALRY: “I love playing in Showdowns because of the intensity and the rivalry,” says Rozee of the derby that divides a State and captures attention of the nation.
Rozee is preparing for his 13th Showdown, looking for his seventh win in a derby that is billed as defying all pre-game predictions.
The derby will mark the last with long-time senior coach Ken Hinkley.
“Every game from now will be approached with a similar mindset - we want to win every game,” Rozee said. “And I don’t want to put myself in a position where I am having a negative impact on the team. If I am not ready to go then I will not be playing. If I am feeling good, then I will want to play whether that is Ken’s first Showdown or last.
“Clearly, everyone wants to play Showdowns. There will be some emotion in it. There always is. Hopefully, we will come out on top.”
BIG PICTURE: Rozee missed Saturday's away loss to Hawthorn in Launceston that has put Port Adelaide three wins outside the top eight with five home-and-away games to play.
It is effectively, particularly with a percentage of 88, seeing out the season as a "spoiler" while playing would-be finalists (except Carlton) in four of the next five weeks.
Damaging the neighbour’s finals ambitions is not a new theme for Port Adelaide in derbies. It could become the “extra motivation” in Showdown LVIII.
“That is the plan every week from now on,” said Rozee. “Any scalp we can take we feel will be a building block for the future.
“We want to play our style - this year that has been a little inconsistent. This is a great opportunity for guys to put their names forward …
“This game is always a competitive battle … and anyone can win it.
“There is no lack of motivation when it comes to these games, whether you are playing for something or not. The intensity is much higher than a lot of other games. It makes it very exciting to play in.
“But we want to beat every team from here. And a Showdown win - there is no better feeling.”
RUCK IS SWEET: Rozee took note of the strong form of ruckman Jordon Sweet against Hawthorn - a timely pointer for the Showdown.
“I am really excited for Jordon,” Rozee said of Sweet’s 42 hit-outs and 22 disposals against Hawthorn. “We have known for a long time he has that capacity. To see him put together a full performance will hold him in good stead going forward. He has the capability to take it to the best rucks in the competition.”
RIOLI WATCH: Rozee was supportive of specialist forward Willie Rioli who played in the SANFL at the weekend.
“Willie has a bit of work to do with his conditioning, but going back to the SANFL has helped his confidence,” Rozee said. “He has been through a lot in the past few years; he wants to win and give himself the best opportunity to help the team every week. He has a good mindset to go back (to the SANFL) and help the younger guys. We were proud of him for that.”
Port Adelaide is currently one behind - 28-29 - in the Showdown ledger. It lost the first derby of the season by five points on May 10.
Showdown LVIII is designated as a Port Adelaide "away" game at Adelaide Oval. It will begin at 7.40pm.
