Zak Butters, Kane Farrell, Jake Patmore, Tobin Cox, Boyd Woodcock in mix to replace departed small forward Sam Gray
Port Adelaide says it has “significant depth” in its small forward ranks, which it why it is OK letting Sam Gray leave. But who are the contenders to take Gray’s spot? We analyse those in the mix.
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Five emerging goalsneaks loom as the most likely options to replace Sam Gray in Port Adelaide’s attack next season.
Zak Butters, Kane Farrell, Jake Patmore, Tobin Cox and Boyd Woodcock are all contenders to take the small forward spot Gray has occupied for most of his 96 games from 2014-19.
Port cut Gray on Thursday – two months after the club told the 176cm, 78kg Magpies junior he could explore his options during the trade period.
The 27-year-old Eyre Peninsula product signed with Sydney as a delisted free agent on Friday.
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Power football operations manager Chris Davies said last week the club did not offer Gray a multi-season deal because it had “significant depth” in its small forward stocks and needed to give some of those younger players an opportunity for the team to get better.
“We want to aim higher than what we’ve been and we need to get some players into the team that we think have the talent to take us to those positions,” Davies said.
Those in the mix are:
Zak Butters – 19 years old, 181cm, 71kg
Butters played 19 games and kicked 12 goals in his debut season at Port after being drafted with pick 12 last year.
The Victorian was crafty with the ball and spent time playing up the ground, as well as in the Power forward 50.
He registered at least 20 disposals in three games, kicked two goals in three others and would be expected to further develop next season.
Butters played all bar three matches this year but could kick more majors and get added responsibilities in 2020.
Kane Farrell – 20 years old, 182cm, 74kg
Farrell featured in seven AFL games in 2019, taking his career tally to 12, and showed signs he could be a long-term answer as a small forward.
He kicked four goals in the Round 13 loss to Fremantle, three in the home win over Gold Coast and 11 in total.
Hitting the scoreboard is a strength but he needs to improve other aspects of his game, including getting more of the ball after averaging just eight disposals this season.
Port showed how highly it rated Farrell by handing him a three-year contract extension.
Jake Patmore – 20 years old, 181cm, 72kg
Patmore ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament during a SANFL trial in pre-season, ruling him out of the 2019 campaign.
The West Australian has yet to make his AFL debut but the club has given him an opportunity to press his case by re-signing him for next year.
Patmore had a promising 2018 campaign when he slotted 16 goals and averaged 13.8 disposals in 18 SANFL games for the Magpies.
Tobin Cox – 20 years old, 181cm, 73kg
One to watch.
Cox booted 30 goals from 15 SANFL games this past season to push his claims for a chance at AFL level next year.
The Glenelg junior kicked two bags of five and impressed against the Crows in the qualifying final when he could have booted a big haul, if not for some shoddy goalkicking (2.5).
His impressive finals form came after lacerating a kidney midway through the season.
Cox remains a rookie and is on a one-year deal for 2020.
Boyd Woodcock – 19 years old, 174cm, 70kg
Port drafted Woodcock after his three-goal first-half performance in North Adelaide’s SANFL grand final win last year and he had some impressive moments in the state league in 2019.
He booted four goals against the Crows and three versus Woodville-West Torrens before finishing with 22 from 21 matches for the season.
Woodcock found a fair chunk of the football too, averaging 17 touches.
Gray may not be the most fashionable player but he kicks well on both feet, is a decent mark for his size and averages a goal and 17.9 disposals per game.
He has been a first-choice Power player for several seasons, lining up in 62 of the past 67 matches while booting 69 majors.
Port has those five candidates on its list to replace him and can add to its options at the draft.
Unless the Power unexpectedly recruit an experienced small forward between now and March, it will almost certainly be an inexperienced, younger player in Gray’s spot – and another example of the club seeking to blood more youth in a year where Ken Hinkley is coaching for his Power career.
It will be interesting to see how it unfolds at Alberton and for Gray in Sydney.