BY THE NUMBERS
Port Adelaide has had three terrific seasons in the past four years, blighted by falling short during the major round.
While the Power’s 2020 preliminary final loss to Richmond was a thriller that could have gone either way, the next year’s defeat at the same stage to the Western Bulldogs was a horror performance.
After missing finals in 2022 last season’s straight sets exit was another nightmare.
Port is adamant it has learned plenty from the 2023 experience and its young players will be much better for it as it plots another September tilt. The club is well placed for another finals run, but how far can it go?
ARE THE HOLES PLUGGED?
The Power was again aggressive in the trade period, bringing in four players to improve two weaknesses: key defensive stocks and ruck. After Tom Jonas’ form drop and injuries to Trent McKenzie and Tom Clurey, Port’s backline was exposed when the whips were cracking last year.
Averaged 40 points directly from stoppages last season – ranked No.1.
Conceded a score from 43 per cent of opposition entries last season – ranked 13th.
Lost the contested-possession count by four per game last season – ranked 16th.
Ranked No.1 for time in forward half and points from forwardhalf intercepts.
Scott Lycett battled valiantly in the ruck but he was banged up and the club sought other options. Enter Esava Ratugolea, Brandon ZerkThatcher, Ivan Soldo and Jordon Sweet. Ratugolea is expected to play deep in defence to help free up Aliir Aliir, while Port seems open to playing Soldo and Sweet in tandem.
CAN WINES GET BACK TO HIS BEST?
It was only two-and-a-half years ago that Ollie Wines won a Brownlow
Medal. In 2023, he often played on a wing and at half-forward, the result of him barely having a pre-season due to knee surgery and Port trying to give its young guns more midfield time.
Wines has returned to being a fulltime midfielder and been alleviated of official leadership titles to allow him to concentrate on returning to his best form. Hinkley is confident the 29-year-old can do just that this season.
WHAT DOES THE FORWARD LINE LOOK LIKE?
Charlie Dixon, Todd Marshall, Jeremy Finlayson, Ollie Lord and Mitch Georgiades gives the Power key forward depth that is likely the envy of many other clubs. But they are not all going to fit in the same attack. Lord was picked ahead of Finlayson for Port’s last trial match, while the club was taking a patient approach with Georgiades as he comes back from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
If Soldo plays more in attack, that gives the Power options to manage Dixon more than it has in recent seasons. The battle for spots is an intriguing one.