Port Adelaide 2016 season report card
DISAPPOINTMENT layered on disappointment. That was the tale of Port Adelaide’s season. What do they need to improve next year? HAVE YOUR SAY
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DISAPPOINTMENT layered on disappointment. And covered with inconsistency.
Port Adelaide went backwards to record its first “losing season” — 10 wins from 22 — since coach Ken Hinkley started the club’s revival in the 2012-13 pre-season.
The reasons are obvious: Injuries giving the Power no stable line-up; horrid skill errors and turnovers from a team that no longer ranks in the AFL top eight for any key performance indicator except tackling; and the reality that Port Adelaide cannot deliver that fast, attacking football any more — by its own failings rather than opposition teams “working them out”.
There was one high point — the record-breaking win against Collingwood at the MCG in Round 11.
But there was just one win against a top-eight side, and that was against the crumbling North Melbourne in Round 17.
And there was one disaster — the collapse to the wounded Carlton after holding a 17-point lead at the 11th minute of the last term at Etihad Stadium in Round 8.
There was one great storyline — the spirit of key defender Jackson Trengove when he was asked to lead the Port Adelaide ruck battery. He is the soul of the Power.
2016 SNAPSHOT
WINS: 10
LOSSES: 12
DRAWS: 0
LADDER POSITION: 10th
PERCENTAGE: 106%
LAST YEAR: 9th (down one spot)
DID WE GET IT RIGHT? SCROLL DOWN TO VOTE AND HAVE YOUR SAY
WHAT WENT RIGHT
Not much. But the silver lining was the chance to know exactly what needs to change with the game plan and the list. The bonus amid the mess was playing six new players — defender Darcy Byrne-Jones (a Rising Star nominee), Logan Austin, Riley Bonner, Will Snelling and injured ruckman-forward Dougal Howard. Also, the work of key defender Jackson Trengove as a pinch-hitting ruckman was extraordinary.
WHAT WENT WRONG
Virtually everything. Starting with the WADA-imposed ban on ruckman Patrick Ryder in January, the Power found every bad turn with injury and form slumps of key players, a game plan that failed and never-ending inconsistency that had Port Adelaide slip to the bottom-four of every major key performance indicator except tackling.
RECRUITING DEPT REVIEW
Draft picks: Riley Bonner (37), Aidyn Johnson (45), Will Snelling (rookie), Cameron Hewett (rookie), Dan Houston (rookie), Kane Mitchell (rookie)
Trade/free agent acquisitions: Charlie Dixon, Jimmy Toumpas
Dixon was ultimately cursed by that ankle again - and not always great with his hands. Toumpas nNeeds to vastly improve his decision making if his homecoming is to be memorable. Bonner had to wait until Round 23 to make his debut but looked capable as a defender.
HIGH AND LOW
The highlight was belting Collingwood at the MCG, even if the Magpies are not what they were. The development of the young Port Adelaide defenders was the “big-picture” highlight of the season. The lowlight was surrendering to Carlton — again. To lead by 17 points at the 11th minute of the last term, while the Blues were battling injuries, and finish with defeat at Etihad Stadium was as low as it gets.
THE STAR
Jasper Pittard earned his first All-Australian nomination in his most consistent season in six at the club. The back-flanker not only shut down the critics among the Power supporters on the terraces but stood up when the battered defence needed his maturity and leadership to guide first-year players such as Darcy Byrne-Jones.
THE COACH
“Honest Ken” Hinkley called it as it is by declaring his record is now at “ground zero” after the past two seasons with no finals appearances have wiped out the credit from taking Port Adelaide to an semi-final in 2013 and preliminary final in 2014. On contract for the next two seasons, but no coach survives at Alberton after missing three final series. Safety rating: One last chance.
YOU SAID IT
“We need to stand for something.”
— Veteran Justin Westhoff highlighting how empty Port Adelaide — with all its great marketing lines — has become on the field.
BEST-AND-FAIREST
Robbie Gray: Unlucky not to get an All-Australian nomination, but the elite midfielder will win his third consecutive John Cahill Medal.
B&F COUNT: John Cahill Medal, September 9, Adelaide Entertainment Centre
SUPERCOACH STUD
Robbie Gray was Port’s SuperCoach star, averaging 108 for the season on the back of 14 scores above 100 from 19 games, including 137 and 147 in the final two rounds. Jasper Pittard boosted his average from 81 to 92 to become a top-six defender and Darcy Byrne-Jones provided good mid-season rookie value.
SUPERCOACH DUD
Matthew Lobbe was one of the SuperCoach flops of the season. He looked like a bargain ruck option after Paddy Ryder’s suspension but the warning signs were there during the pre-season before he averaged 61 in the opening five rounds then disappeared, not to be seen again until Round 21. Sam Gray was another early-season bomb, burning owners with a month of terrible scores after a red-hot finish to 2015.
LIST ANALYSIS
ELITE: Robbie Gray
BIG IMPROVERS: Aaron Young, Jarman Impey, Jasper Pittard
GONE: Alipate Carlile (retired), Jay Schulz (delisted), John Butcher (delisted), Kane Mitchell, (delisted), Sam Colquhoun (delisted)
GOING, GOING? Paul Stewart
TRADE BAIT: Hamish Hartlett, Tom Jonas, Cam O’Shea
ON THE BLOCK
Everyone as Port Adelaide searches for draft picks to add more youth to the player list — and deals with salary cap pressure. Vice-captain Hamish Hartlett is the headline of the Power’s trade list. Many of his teammates — such as ruckman Matthew Lobbe who had the Western Bulldogs chase him last year — have lost value.
PREMIERSHIP CLOCK
TURNING back time to 6pm as Port Adelaide falls between contending for the flag and starting a new plan to make finals.
THE STATS
Source: Champion Data
Originally published as Port Adelaide 2016 season report card
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