Port Adelaide senior assistant coach Stuart Dew has had a rotating door for his midfield group this season, but says the exposure to new roles has been an opportunity for players to grow. 

With the likes of Jase Burgoyne, Joe Richards and Joe Berry moving into the middle at times across the year, the long injury list has allowed multiple players to expand their skill set. 

Speaking on Monday with the Adelaide media, Dew discussed replacing Darcy Byrne-Jones in the backline, Zak Butters’ injury recovery and how he’s managed his midfield.  

Dew on Jason Horne-Francis’ knee 
“Good news (with his scan results). Obviously a little hyperextension, so look, it'll be touch and go this week. Obviously, a little bit of bone bruising when (a hyperextension) happens for anyone. But from where we thought it could have been when he when he came off, it's a great result.

“We’ll just see how it settles down. So we treat it like a normal game under any circumstance. It'll end up as a medical call, so I'm sure he'll want to play. But we'll just see how it settles down next couple of days, and once he gets moving, we'll get a little bit more information.” 

Dew on Zak Butters’ possible return 
“He's pushing to try and get back, and I think that's a good mindset. But again, there'll be no risk taken. And in terms of the side, he's going to have to put in a little bit of work on the training track. And at the moment, he's still getting up and running, so it'll be, not a miracle, but again, it'll be just a medical call at the end of the day to see how he's going. But there's no need to rush. Again, he's got another week or so to continue to get moving and try and get back into training.  

“He’s probably a chance because he's saying he's a chance, and he's so positive about it. But you know, there is the physical element, and these things can improve really quickly at the start, and then sometimes they taper off and then get going again. So it's very much how he pulls up from each running session. He's just run again today, so how he presents tomorrow morning probably dictates the next step.” 

Dew on top players missing with injury 
“Well, obviously, we’d like all our good players out there, and we haven't seen Connor for a long time as well, so he's no different to any of those players, I think. Clearly we've got a long injury list at the moment, and we'd much rather a lot of those players out there. I think on the weekend, you know, we played Sydney eight weeks ago and we played 11 different players, so that's an extreme turnover, and we haven't had the full book to pick from. 

Dew on Butters’ future 
“As Zak has said, and we've said, he's keen to play this year and make a decision at the end of the year. And especially given he’s injured now, his whole energy is going into that, trying to minimise obviously distractions and see where it goes. And if he can get back for a game this year, that'll be great for us as a team.” 

Dew on keeping spirits up 
“(We were) flat on the weekend, no doubt. But again, there's just that bit of education. I think we played three of the top four teams the last month when we've been at our most depleted. So what we can control is trying to get more players to play their roles for longer. Clearly that that broke down on the weekend, and that dents confidence. So there are parts that we can take from that, and look to work with individuals, and then at different times, your more experienced players try and overreach. So, just try and get the players back, playing their role as best they can, for as long as they can. But we take nothing away from Sydney. They were able to pick us apart. They're a well-oiled machine who are who are gearing up for September action. We're trying to motivate our player to finish the year strong, and obviously the last couple of weeks we've lost some confidence, but that doesn't mean we can't get that back.” 

Dew on his rotating midfield 
“I always say the challenging parts (of coaching) are the most enjoyable, and it's actually helped get across the group a little bit more as well. You know, get to know the other players, more exposure, like Jase Burgoyne again on the weekend, was able to get some more minutes through there, and hopefully Joey Richards comes back, so he will slot straight back into the midfield. We should obviously get maybe three or four guys back this week, which will help just stiffen up the list.” 

Dew on replacing Darcy Byrne-Jones this weekend 
“Jonesy will be (a possibility), we will see how he trains. Miles went back in the second half, so he's definitely an option we can do there. So there's a couple of options, and particularly with some experience, with a lot of young players in that back line. So with Balyn (O’Brien), Rammy (Harrison Ramm) and a few younger boys back there. A little bit of experience with Darcy going out, the obvious ones are Jonesy back in, and potentially Miles (playing back).”