Port Adelaide 2018 trade guide: Who should the Power target this off-season?
NO club took more risks than Port Adelaide at the end of last season. Are they about to enjoy the ultimate rewards? David King looks at what’s next for the now destination club.
THE reward for the bravery of last off-season is ahead of Ken Hinkley in the months to come.
The daring moves to obtain Steven Motlop, Tom Rockliff and Jack Watts has worked on differing levels but their pay days aren’t for the home and away season.
Riley Bonner, Dan Houston, Dougall Howard and Tom Clurey are part of the youngest backline in the AFL and have excelled this season.
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Sam Powell-Pepper, Jared Polec and Ollie Wines have all hit form as the next wave is looking to assume greater influence.
The Port Adelaide list wants for nothing. They’ve cherry-picked other lists over the recent trade periods with great effect. Charlie Dixon and Patrick Ryder’s impact on the Power’s fortunes have been enormous.
Hamish Hartlett will return next season from an ACL injury and will be effectively Port’s best recruit.
It’s doubtful there’ll be much high-level trade activity and they’ve expressed a desire to stick to drafting their stars in this year’s South Australian talent riddled draft.
Port Adelaide had the AFL’s second-best rated list entering the season and they’ve performed accordingly. I get the feeling September will bear fruit for Ken Hinkley and company.
Premiership Clock 11pm
IN PLAY
1. Jared Polec
Age: 25
Games in 2018: 13
One of Port’s most important players but talks of a mid-season contract extension haven’t materialised, at least not yet. Kane Cornes says Port should only offer the injury-prone wingman a one-year deal. Surely rivals would offer more.
2. Justin Westhoff
Age: 31
Games in 2018: 13
Port’s Mr Fixit is an unrestricted free agent and remains unsigned but has started negotiations on a one-year contract extension which shouldn’t take long to finalise. Can’t see him going anywhere.
3. Joe Atley
Age: 19
Games in 2018: 0
Midfielder has battled a back injury of late but seems a long way off the best 22 after playing three matches in his debut season last year. Could he move home to Victoria to play with brother Shaun at the Kangaroos? One of several fringe players like Cameron Hewett and Will Snelling who might look for greater opportunities elsewhere.
BUY BUY BUY
1. George Horlin-Smith
Age: 25
Club: Geelong
Games in 2018: 4
Former South Australian kicking off the dew for Geelong’s VFL team offers outside run and midfield depth. Unrestricted free agent is likely to be available but does he walk into the best 22?
2. Shaun Atley
Age: 25
Club: North Melbourne
Games in 2018: 13
Flip the logic of the potential Joe Atley trade above and lure Shaun to play with his younger brother. Not a superstar but has a vital ingredient the Power lacks – speed. Can play wing or half-back and wouldn’t cost anything.
WINS AND ROUNDABOUTS
How much space have we got? Traded out five players last year (Trengove, Impey, Ah Chee,
Austin, Young) and none have hurt them. But they haven’t got huge bang for the six
recycled players they brought in, either. Tom Rockliff is improving, Jack Watts is in the
SANFL and Steven Motlop’s numbers are down from last year – but then he did win a
Showdown off his own boot so forget everything we just said.
FANTASY QUICK FIX
If the AFL had mid-season transfers like the EPL, Port should back the truck up to Josh Kelly’s pad in Breakfast Point with too much cash to refuse. Give him a monster short-term deal then let him go home to Victoria. Looks more likely to win a flag in teal than orange, this year at least.
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Originally published as Port Adelaide 2018 trade guide: Who should the Power target this off-season?