Gary Buckenara analyses Port Adelaide’s needs and potential players to target during off-season
PORT Adelaide plays its best football when taking the game on so that makes Jason Johannisen the perfect trade target but there’s one player the Power can’t afford to lose. GARY BUCKENARA’S ANALYSIS
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IT has been a disappointing last couple of years for Port Adelaide but the Power have shown signs of improvement so far this season and are right in the mix for finals.
But while there have been glimpses of the Port Adelaide that nearly made a Grand Final back in 2014, we’ve also seen the poor Port Adelaide at various times this year.
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When the Power were a top side a few years back it was around a game style that was super-fast — quick ball movement and most players had pace. That’s an area now that is lacking.
Matt White has fallen out of favour and is at the end of his career now after being one of those guys who was integral to Hinkley’s game style four years ago.
The forward set up is pretty good with Charlie Dixon and Justin Westhoff and the dynamic small forwards like Robbie Gray and Chad Wingard going through there.
The biggest area I see is the need for speed and good ball users.
Jasper Pittard was dropped by Ken Hinkley last weekend and that wasn’t a great sign, particularly given he is out of contract and a free agent at the end of the year.
While he might be having a quiet patch, Port Adelaide can’t afford to lose the running defender because players of his ilk — with pace and good kicking skills — are hard to find and there will be clubs lining up for his services.
Pittard really suits the way they Power players and he’s an important cog as a running defender, who are important players in modern footy. He’s an untouchable.
The same goes for Jackson Trengove, he’s a really important part of their structure down back and can and has been used in a variety of different roles. If they did lose him, then they would need to find a replacement straight away.
WHO THEY SHOULD TARGET
Out-of-contract Bulldogs star Jason Johannisen would be an ideal fit. He’s quick, takes the game on, uses the ball well and fits in exactly with the way Port Adelaide like to play their footy. The only issue is he’s a WA boy — can he be convinced to leave the Dogs and head to South Australia? Never say never.
If Trengove were to leave the Power would need to be in the line for Steven May. Ryan Schoenmakers from Hawthorn, who originally from Adelaide, would also be a good fit.
I could also see Port Adelaide having a crack at luring Nat Fyfe. Imagine Fyfe together with Ollie Wines at stoppages?
UNTOUCHABLES
Travis Boak, Paddy Ryder, Robbie Gray, Brad Ebert, Ollie Wines, Jackson Trengove, Chad Wingard, Charlie Dixon, Jared Polec, Jasper Pittard, Darcy Byrne-Jones, Justin Westhoff, Tom Jonas, Sam Powell-Pepper.
Please note: AFL clubs have a list of a number of players they are targeting at the end of the season and this is the list Gary Buckenara would have in the hope of luring at least one to the club.
Gary Buckenara was Hawthorn’s sole full-time recruiting staff member from 2004 before the Hawks brought in Chris Pelchen and then Graham Wright as recruiting and list manager and expanded the recruiting department.
Originally published as Gary Buckenara analyses Port Adelaide’s needs and potential players to target during off-season
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