Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams has debunked a few rapidly developing theories about his attitude to certain Power players.

Williams has copped it from all angles this week, from Carlton coach Brett Ratten errantly branding him a "bad loser" to widespread murmurings from the Power supporter base about his methods.

But the Port mentor fronted the media to quell speculation he had marked the card of young midfielder Adam Thomson.

It was commonly thought that in-and-under midfield option Thomson would this week be among the first picked - he had starred with 21 disposals and four goals in the SANFL - following last week's spineless, final-quarter surrender to the Blues.

But when he did not even make the list of emergencies, raised eyebrows abounded and outspoken former Power centreman Josh Francou wrote a column suggesting Thomson had to leave the club because he was being ignored.

Mindful of this, Williams on Friday revealed Thomson has been managed in recent weeks to combat the early signs of Osteitis Pubis (OP).

"It's tough for people outside the club to know but Adam has been rested in regard to OP and the signs of that, and you can understand better if you know that," Williams said.

"It's easy to write an article like that, but we've valued Adam's input into our side this year much more than any other year and to the fact that we didn't drop him, we actually gave him time off.

"Then there was two games, the state game and they (Sturt) had the bye and he played really well in the first half last week without any doubt, but we'd like to think he needs to get just a little more time on the track and in the game to give him another opportunity to come back in."

When asked whether or not Thomson would be let go by the Power, Williams was succinct.

"No way in the world," he said.

Another player on the fringes is key-position player Damon White, who has struggled to find a spot inside Port's 22 since Warren Tredrea's return from injury last year.

Williams said while White had tried to leave the club prior to the start of 2008, he was being strongly considered for a recall.

"It's difficult for him. It was his choice to go last year and the truth was no one picked him up, no one wanted to trade for him, it's not like we tried to stop him," he said.

"So he knew it would be difficult for the year, he's been waiting for opportunities.

"He's showing good versatility at both ends (in the SANFL) and it's not necessarily the point that if he doesn't play this week he won't play next week."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP