PORT’S YOUNG GUNS ARE READY TO TAKE NEXT STEP

KEN HE DO IT?

IF he isn’t the coach most under pressure in 2023 then Port Adelaide’s Hinkley is close. Out of contract at the end of the season, he has said he and the Power will put off talks about his future until August. Returning to finals will be an absolute minimum, but how far does Port have to go for Hinkley to continue at Alberton?

HORNET LANDING

THERE will be plenty of eyeballs on Port Adelaide games this season as footy fans check in on how Jason Horne-Francis tracks this year after his highly publicised move back to South Australia after a year at North Melbourne. The former No.1 pick has been impressive in training and looks set to play a lot of midfield minutes for the Power. With every move to be scrutinised, the Power would love some strong performances from HorneFrancis early on.

POCKET ROCKETS

ROBBIE Gray won’t be able to be replaced, but Port does have two exciting small forwards it is hoping to call on to fill the hole in the team that the retired club legend leaves. Junior Rioli, 27, has arrived from West Coast, while the Power will be hoping Orazio Fantasia can stay fit after he didn’t play a single AFL minute in 2022. Both Rioli and Fantasia have had issues, be it off-field or through injury, but if the Power can get the duo firing, they should cause opposition teams a lot of problems.

YOUNG TALENT TIME

AFTER Connor Rozee’s breakout season in 2022, Port Adelaide will be hoping at least a couple more of its young guns make the step-up this season. Zak Butters will be hoping that the injuries issues he’s experienced do not rear their head again, while Xavier Duursma and Mitch Georgiades will be looking for consistent spots in the Power’s 22 after they spent more time in the SANFL than they would have wanted.