Fans may be hoping for the spectacular, but the Hawthorn hierarchy has given Chad Wingard one simple job - play your role.
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Arguably the Hawks' highest-profile recruit for 2019, the ex-Port goalsneak will meet his old side for the first time on Saturday after an indifferent start in brown and gold.
After an impressive three-goal debut against North Melbourne, Wingard has struggled to find the form that saw him win All-Australian selection in 2013, and received plenty of media attention after copping a half-time spray from Jarryd Roughead in the round seven loss to Melbourne.
Assistant coach Chris Newman said the Hawks weren't expecting the talented 25-year-old to come straight in and tear the game apart after two weeks on the sidelines.
"We expect Chad to play his role for the team - it's a standard line but that's the reality of it, he needs to come back in and inject some life into whichever line he plays," Newman said.
"With Chad he is a fierce competitor and we look forward to the contribution he can make to our team."
Wingard's inclusion was one of two changes for the Hawks, with key defender James Frawley replacing injured ruckman Ben McEvoy and Dylan Moore omitted.
Moore and developing ruck Marc Pittonet travelled with the Hawks to Launceston, and could still play should young forward Mitch Lewis (concussion) fail to get up in time.
Roughead will play his third week in the VFL, and seems unlikely to return soon should Lewis keep impressing.
"Roughy just needs to continue to play a really strong brand of footy," Newman said when asked what the 32-year-old veteran needed to do to regain his spot.
"He's played some great footy down at Box Hill a couple of weeks ago and the week just gone - he just needs to keep playing competitive football and putting his hand up to be in the mix.
"He was in the mix this week and last week and we know that if he plays his best footy he'll be in the mix most weeks."
Shaun Burgoyne was best on ground when the two sides met at the same venue midway through last year, with the Hawks holding on for a nervy three-point win.
Port Adelaide duo Robbie Gray and Jack Watts combined for seven goals on the day as a record 11 50m penalties were awarded, nine of which came before half time.
Saturday's match begins at 1.45pm and is the second of four Launceston fixtures.
FAST FACTS
- WHAT: AFL round 10, Hawthorn v Port Adelaide
- WHEN: 1.45pm, Saturday
- WHERE: UTAS Stadium
- TICKETS: Available at ticketmaster.com.au