Port Adelaide star Dan Houston will front the AFL Tribunal full of remorse for his bump which knocked out Adelaide’s Izak Rankine, his Power teammate Ollie Wines says.
Houston, who is facing a potential season-ending suspension after being charged with rough conduct, has reached out to apologise to Rankine.
The All Australian defender has been sent directly to the tribunal. A ban of four games or more will likely sideline him for Port’s looming finals campaign.
“He’s very remorseful,” Wines told reporters ahead of Tuesday evening’s hearing.
“Dan is in no way a dirty player or someone who would do that on purpose.
“And I know he’s reached out to Izak and we hope Izak’s feeling better and getting through it.
“Obviously Dan will face the tribunal tonight and what will be, will be.”
The Power holds the second spot on the ladder entering its last home-and-away fixture, away to Fremantle, before the finals.
Wines said losing the play-making halfback would be a blow to the club’s finals prospects.
“[It’s] obviously really disappointing for us as a team, seeing what Dan has been able to do, particularly the last two years,” Wines said.
“He’ll hopefully be a back-to-back All Australian this year.
Dan Houston has apologised to Adelaide’s Izak Rankine for his bump which left the Crows star knocked out. (Getty Images: Mark Brake)
“And I’m little bit biased, but I think he’s got the best kick in the league, so he’s incredibly important.
“But we’ve got to wrap our arms around him, help him out and try and move on.”
Houston’s potential lengthy ban comes amid reports he could be set to leave Port Adelaide at the end of the season to return to a club in his home state of Victoria.
But Wines said Houston’s future beyond this season was not yet a talking point at the South Australian club.
“It’s not something we really talk about as players,” he said.
“As much as you think we talk about what’s going on with the rumours and everything, it’s not taboo but … we’re focused on what we’re doing here at the moment.
“And whatever happens will happen.
“I certainly haven’t really spoken to him about it. I don’t know the legitimacy of it or anything.
“But we’re all pretty focused in the now and whatever happens after the season will happen.”
AAP
