Port Adelaide recruit Tom Rockliff is under pressure to perform at his new club after a poor start to the 2018 AFL season.
The talented midfielder moved south from Brisbane during the free agency period at the end of last year on a lucrative deal.
However, for both Port and Rockliff the move hasn't paid dividends yet, with the 28-year-old averaging career-low numbers since his played his first game for the Lions.
Rockliff has also been left out of his side's squad to face Geelong on Saturday after picking up a calf injury in the Power's loss to Essendon.
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But former St Kilda and North Melbourne player, Nick Dal Santo told SEN 1116 Breakfast Port Adelaide need to give Rockliff time.
“Has that injury been lingering? We don’t know, they haven’t mentioned it prior,” Dal Santo said.
“It does take a little bit of time for some players to adapt to a new club. I don’t see a great issue with it just yet.
“I actually thought the Rockliff pick up was really good.
“I thought he can work in with Robbie Gray, one can play as a deep forward and the other is on the ball. They will just complement each other and chop and change as they feel."
The Power were the most active club in last season's free agency period, picking up a host of talent including the likes of Jack Watts, Steven Motlop, Trent McKenzie and Jack Trengrove - on top of Rockliff.
Big names Jarman Impey, Jackson Trengrove and Brendon Ah Chee were just a few of the players traded to other clubs to accomodate Port's signing spree.
“From my experience changing clubs, I felt it took a 10-odd weeks to really get to know my teammates in game situations," he said.
“It’s one thing to train with them for four-to-six months, but game scenarios are so different.
"To know where your teammate is, when you get the ball, when you don’t get the ball.
“It can take a little while, so I think we give 'Rocky' the benefit of the doubt at the moment.
"It will all work out okay.”
Rockliff is currently averaging 12 disposals per match across four games for the club - a far cry from the 40+ possession games he was racking up at the Lions.
He averaged 24 touches per game last season and a tick under 30 in 2016.
The Power will also be missing Sam Powell-Pepper as the fallout from his alleged off-field indiscretions continues.
