THE PRESENCE of returning defender Jackson Trengove will be felt all over the field on Saturday night, says Port Adelaide ruck coach Aaron Greaves.
Trengove has been sidelined since round 15 due to ankle surgery, but will make his return this week against the Sydney Swans.
With Lance Franklin also expected to return for the Swans, Trengove's presence will be first felt deep in defence where he'll likely line up on either Franklin or Kurt Tippett.
Trengove's support in the ruck will also be a welcome return to the game plan, which will then allow Justin Westhoff to spend more time in attack.
Even if Westhoff does still spend time in the ruck, Greaves told AFL.com.au having another tall in the side offers great versatility.
"'Westy's' so valuable to us in other roles and having 'Jacko' back just gives us that extra tall…we can still use Westy in the ruck but also have that extra tall floating through (attack and defence)," Greaves said.
"It hurts the team when we don't have Jacko playing, he's one of our leaders and someone we thought was playing some really good footy before he got injured.
"From a team point of view [we noticed Jacko's absence] but from a second ruck point of view we're happy whether it's Westy or Jacko.
"They're both very athletic and their numbers really stack up for what they've done this year.
"It's great that he's back and he'll shoulder some of that support for (Matthew) Lobbe."
Greaves was full of praise for Lobbe, describing him as the club's strongest player.
Lobbe has paid great attention to the physical side of his game in recent seasons, aiming to compliment his immense running capacity with an ability to out-muscle opponents.
In 2014 he's averaged a career-high 32 hit-outs a game as well as 11 disposals.
Since developing his physical game, Greaves said the 25-year-old had become a wonderfully balanced big-man.
"He's been in the program now for about seven years and really started to become a strong and hard ruckman to play against," he said.
"His technical side mixed with his strength has allowed him to compete against bigger bodies week after week.
"With 'Reddo' being in rehab this year, pound for pound Lobbe's probably the strongest player at the club – that's how far he's come in that area.
"His running ability is still a massive strength of his but he's a strong and powerful man now."
Twitter: @AFL_Harry
