💥 “Port Adelaide Hit Hard: Three Stars’ Seasons Vanish in One Shocking Weekend”
### A Devastating Blow Leaves Fans Reeling
Port Adelaide has been rocked by a triple injury nightmare, with three key players confirmed **out for the remainder of the 2025 season** following last weekend’s clash.
Midfielder **Sam Powell-Pepper (27)**, known for his fierce midfield presence, suffered a **horrifying second ACL rupture in his left knee**, just **15 months after recovering from the same injury in his right** . The announcement was met with raw emotion from coach Ken Hinkley, who admitted this could be the last time he coaches Powell-Pepper, describing the moment as “really, really sad” .
Just minutes later, defender **Esava Ratugolea** left the field clutching his leg, later diagnosed with a **high-grade hamstring tear**—a season-ender confirmed by the club . The final blow struck rookie ruckman **Dante Visentini**, who required surgery after suffering a **high-grade syndesmosis injury** .
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### What This Means for the Power
* 🔻 **Finals Hopes Dashed**: Already struggling, the Power now face a steep climb back to contention without three pivotal players.
* 🚶♂️ **Coach Transition Looms**: With Hinkley set to step down at season’s end, assistant Josh Carr begins prepping for the unforeseen challenge of reshaping the team amid an injury crisis .
* 🛠 **Rehab & Rebuild**: Despite the severity, medical staff are optimistic—all injured players are expected to be fully ready for pre-season in 2026 .
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### A Trio of Tragedies
| Player | Injury | Outlook |
| ——————— | ——————————— | ——————————————— |
| **Sam Powell‑Pepper** | ACL (second injury, opposite leg) | Season over; long rehab expected |
| **Esava Ratugolea** | High‑grade hamstring tear | Side‐lined for season; pre‐season rehab ahead |
| **Dante Visentini** | High‑grade syndesmosis | Surgery required; season over |
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### Emotional Fallout
In the post-match media scrum, Hinkley fought back tears as he reflected on his relationship with Powell-Pepper, saying, “It gets a bit sadder because it’s my last game of coaching Sam… I wish him a speedy recovery” . Fans were equally devastated by what many are calling “injury carnage” against Brisbane Lions .
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### Silver Linings & Looking Ahead
* **Focus on Youth**: The club will look to emerging talent and mid-season recruits to fill the void—recent additions like **Tom Cochrane, Todd Marshall**, and **Xavier Walsh** have been moved to the inactive list as they continue their recoveries .
* **Off-Season Reset**: With key players on track for full fitness by preseason, the Power have a real chance to bounce back stronger in 2026.
* **Resilience Narrative**: This isn’t the first time Port has faced injury adversity; their handling of past setbacks is a testament to their depth and spirit.
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### Final Word
What unfolded last weekend wasn’t just a tough loss—it was a gut-wrenching chapter in Port Adelaide’s 2025 story. With three cornerstone players sidelined, the club now faces an uphill battle—yet even as the finals dream fades, a resilient rebuild is already underway. Expect a stunned but determined Power to roar back next season.
If you’re backing Port to rise from the ashes—and stay tuned, because the biggest stories are often born from the toughest challenges. Please share!
