Port Adelaide has played down fears for midfielder Zak Butters after suffering a suspected ankle sprain against Fremantle on Friday night.
Butters rolled his right ankle during a contest in the first quarter of the Power's practice match at Alberton, immediately being benched, with the club confirming he would take no further part.
After being ruled out, Power coach Ken Hinkley declared they would take no risks with the All-Australian star, who came fourth in last year's Brownlow medal.
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"He rolled his ankle so we took him out. We just didn't want to take a risk," Hinkley told Fox Footy at quarter time.
"He's not the sort of player that you want to mess around with.
"I don't care how many minutes we've got to play, he's just not going to be here."
Back in 2021, Butters suffered a syndesmosis issue with his left ankle, alongside nerve damage in the same knee.
The 23-year-old ended up missing 13 weeks of football, in a blow that Port Adelaide are not keen to recreate this time around.
The Power will play host to last year's wooden spooners, West Coast, at Adelaide Oval in round one.
Port Adelaide took a 39-point win over Fremantle.
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