After a less than brilliant 2018 the Power will look to get back into calculations for finals after a capitulation that can only be described as horrific, losing six of their last seven 2018 matches to fall from Fourth to Tenth.

Squad:

Senior List:

Tom Clurey, Darcy Byrne-Jones, Sam Powell-Pepper, Zak Butters, Sam Mayes, Ryan Burton, Jack Trengove, Boyd Woodcock, Paddy Ryder, Connor Rozee, Jake Patmore, Matthew Broadbent, Xavier Duursma, Steven Motlop, Charlie Dixon, Justin Westhoff, Brad Ebert, Jack Watts, Hamish Hartlett, Kane Farrell, Riley Grundy, Robbie Gray, Sam Hayes, Tom Jonas, Travis Boak, Riley Bonner, Dan Houston, Tom Rockliff, Joel Garner, Trent McKenzie, Willem Drew, Todd Marshall, Scott Lycett, Sam Gray, Billy Frampton, Joe Atley, Karl Amon, Aidyn Johnson, Ollie Wines, Dougal Howard

Rookies:

Peter Ladhams, Jarrod Lienert, Cameron Hewett, Martin Frederick, Tobin Cox, Kai Pudney

Ins and Outs

Ins: Scott Lycett, Sam Mayes, Connor Rozee, Zak Butters, Ryan Burton, Boyd Woodcock, Xavier Duursma, Riley Grundy, Tobin Cox

Outs: Chad Wingard, Dom Barry, Jake Neade, Will Snelling, Jack Hombsch, Jasper Pittard, Jared Polec, Emmanuel Irra, Jimmy Toumpas, Lindsay Thomas

Five Fearless Predictions

1. Last year’s big fall away will not impress Port fans, players or staff. In one of the most unexpected falls from grace we’ve seen in some time, the Power fell from fourth to tenth in the space of the season’s last seven matches. This year the Power will be determined to break the mould and move out of the space just below the eight, which they’ve occupied numerous times in recent history.
2. Scott Lycett is a talking point in himself. A huge inclusion for the Power who will now have to focus their game around two very capable big men. Ryder, although injury prone, is one of the most mobile and athletic big men in the competition, and Lycett has just won his first Premiership medallion. No more back up ruckmen for the Power as they will look to dominate hit outs and clearances now they possess two top tap men.
3. Are the Power becoming a ‘scrap-heap’? Although there’s plenty of talent of Port’s list, there are also several players for who it can be safely said, they’re passed their prime. Guys like Jack Trengove and Trent McKenzie are beyond their best and are taking spots away from young talent when they play. Port has picked up some serious quality in the draft and needs to look use and exploit its new powerful young guns.
4. The longevity of some of Port’s older players has also come under the microscope with Robbie Gray, Travis Boak and Paddy Ryder all getting on in years. Whilst all elite talents, they all will need to maintain their best form in order to keep their spots in a team where a place in the side’s engine room will be hotly contested.
5. Can Port rise to the pressure? This year it seems Port Adelaide will be one of those teams on and around the cusp of September action. Last season’s monumental collapse will not encourage Power fans, who will be willing their team into September action this year, as Port look to and need to go one better and play finals football. Ken Hinkley is absolutely one of the most under pressure men in football right now, he has a talented list and an excellent crop of draftees, so the Power need to be competitive in 2019.

Fixture

Best 22

FB: Darcy Byrne-Jones, Tom Clurey, Dan Houston

HB: Hamish Hartlett, Tom Jonas, Ryan Burton

C: Ollie Wines, Travis Boak, Steven Motlop

HF: Robbie Gray, Chalie Dixon, Justin Westhoff

FF: Jack Watts, Scott Lycett, Sam Gray

FOL: Paddy Ryder, Tom Rockliff, Brad Ebert

INT: Sam Powell-Pepper, Connor Rozee, Sam Mayes, Matthew Broadbent

EMG: Todd Marshall, Riley Bonner, Dougal Howard

Individuals

Best Brownlow Chance: Ollie Wines

All Australian Chances: Ollie Wines, Paddy Ryder, Tom Jonas, Justin Westhoff, Robbie Gray

Best Coleman Chance: Charlie Dixon

Breakout Star: Connor Rozee

Best Rising Star Chance: Connor Rozee

Predicted Finish

The Power will look to right the wrong of a rough finish to 2018. With enough quality and experience to push for the final eight, Port need to lift and execute their game plans, especially at home. Expect to see Port challenging once again, but I think it’ll be an all too familiar story of so close yet so far. I have them in Ninth or Tenth.

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