Former skipper Dom Cassisi excited by Port Adelaide's rebirth Port Adelaide's Dom Cassisi breaks away from Gold Coast star Gary Ablett on Saturday night. DOM Cassisi admits there were times in the first three weeks of the season he looked at Port Adelaide's side and wondered how he'd break in. The former skipper, on the comeback trail from injury, was made to earn his recall in the SANFL as the Power's unbeaten run continued. But along with Robbie Gray, he eventually cracked the side to play Gold Coast on Saturday night after Paul Stewart was injured and Kane Mitchell returned to the rookie list. "We haven't got any injuries at the club and the guys who have been getting a game have been performing really well," Cassisi said. Ken (Hinkley) has been true to his word that he's going to reward the players who are putting in the effort and playing their role for the side. It shouldn't be any other way and with Robbie (Gray) we had to work really hard, and we've still got seven or eight guys in the SANFL playing well waiting for a spot to open up, so the list is really healthy. Rather than being eased back into the fray, Cassisi was told to tag Gary Ablett at quarter time on Saturday night. "Ken came to me at quarter time and said, 'Mate, just put him away if you can' and he's (Ablett) such a champion player you really need help from your teammates and it was a good combined effort," Cassisi said. I really enjoyed the role. I was a little bit rusty early and it settled me down to have a clear role like that. Cassisi made a smooth return from a pre-season calf injury. "It was enjoyable to get out there and play under Kenny for the first time and play with four or five new teammates so I was really excited to be a part of that," he said. The exciting thing is after the game we were really happy with the win but we know we've got so much more improvement left in us.