AFL 2022: Gary Buckenara rates Port Adelaide’s list at the end of the 2022 season
Port Adelaide can be a top four team again in 2023. But some new names must stand up. Do they have what it takes? Check out their full list review.
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I thought the way Port Adelaide ended its season in 2021 would really drive the Power’s preparation and season in 2022.
But they were too inconsistent and missed a big opportunity this year.
Those type of opportunities present themselves rarely in the AFL and you must make your time in the game count.
Port was always around the mark this year but they had an inconsistent season.
Yes they had a few injury concerns early in the year and had to deal with Covid, but most clubs have had to deal with this also.
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I can understand why there is some frustration among Port supporters as the strength of the
Power’s list is really good. They have 21 A, B and rising star players on the list and some potentially good C graders if they develop correctly.
But they will lose A-graders with Gray retired and Amon set to leave.
There is some dead wood in the C-grade ratings but they’ve made the right decision moving on Sam Mayes and Sam Skinner while Trent Dumont is just a depth player.
Martin Frederick is one that could develop into a B-grade but they need to have more of a rigorous look at the back end of their list and bring in some fresh talent.
Orazio Fantasia is a C-grader mainly because of his injuries and conditioning. I think he’s a potential A-grader and he has more to offer but he just hasn’t been fit enough to go into the midfield. He has enough talent but he desperately needs to get his body right to be a worthy midfielder-forward.
Tom Clurey I think is a good player and A-grade defenders are hard to find. He’s a good sized defender who can play tall and provides stability to the back six.
Based on this, their results were very disappointing, especially early on in the season when we thought they would be driven by how their 2021 season ended.
But despite how disappointing their season was, Port still has a group capable of winning a flag and this is what should motivate them for 2023.
I am confident Port will bounce back in 2023 and again be a finals team and possibly a top four side with the right luck on the injury front.
They have too many good players on their list and if they can be active in the trade period and add some good SA youngsters via the draft, I am confident we will see them bounce back.
If they don’t, David Koch has warned the football department he expected more in 2022 and wants better in 2023 or watch out.
HOW THE LIST RATINGS WORK
At a club level, player ranking is generally based on gradings of A+, A, B+ , B, C+, C and the
developing players.
My rankings will focus on A, B, C and for the developing 20-year-old and under players will
be rated as rising stars (RS) and those that need more time (NMT).
With the younger players, it is important to consider who is coming through and those who
need longer to develop.
The most important areas for clubs to look at is how many A and B ranked players they have
as well as the rising stars, who I believe should be A and B-grade players in the future.
A
Tom Jonas, 31, 188cm, 90kg
Travis Boak, 34, 183cm, 85kg
Karl Amon, 27, 181cm, 77kg
Ollie Wines, 27, 187cm, 98kg
Connor Rozee, 22, 185cm, 80kg
Tom Clurey, 28, 193cm, 95kg
B
Charlie Dixon, 31, 200cm, 107kg
Zak Butters, 21, 181cm, 78kg
Todd Marshall, 23, 198cm, 92kg
Aliir Aliir, 27, 194cm, 96kg
Dan Houston, 25, 186cm, 88kg
Scott Lycett, 29, 203cm, 102kg
Darcy Byrne-Jones, 26, 181cm, 76kg
Sam Powell-Pepper, 24, 187cm, 96kg
Ryan Burton, 25, 191cm, 90kg
Xavier Duursma, 22, 186cm, 81kg
Jeremy Finlayson, 26, 197cm, 94kg
Trent McKenzie, 30, 191cm, 90kg
Kane Farrell, 23, 182cm, 78kg
Riley Bonner, 25, 190cm, 85kg
Willem Drew, 23, 188cm, 87kg
C
Orazio Fantasia, 26, 180cm, 75kg
Dylan Williams, 21, 186cm, 82kg
Sam Hayes, 23, 205cm, 102kg
Brynn Teakle, 22, 204cm, 96kg
Jed McEntee, 21, 176cm, 78kg
Trent Dumont, 27, 186cm, 86kg
Martin Frederick, 22, 179cm, 83kg
Jake Pasini, 21, 192cm, 86kg
Rising Stars
Josh Sinn, 19, 187cm, 78kg
Mitch Georgiades, 20, 192cm, 88kg
Jase Burgoyne, 19, 186cm. 65kg
Needs More Time
Miles Bergman, 20, 189cm, 84kg
Ollie Lord, 20, 197cm, 87kg
Lachie Jones, 20, 186cm, 90kg
Dante Visentini, 19, 202cm, 93kg
Hugh Jackson, 19, 182cm, 72kg
Jackson Mead, 20, 184cm, 85kg
RETIRED
Steven Motlop, 31, 183cm, 82kg
Robbie Gray, 34, 183cm, 84kg
DELISTED
Sam Mayes, 28, 187cm, 86kg
Taj Schofield, 19, 178cm, 76kg
Sam Skinner, 25, 198cm, 98kg
PORT ADELAIDE LIST BREAKDOWN
A Grade = 6
B Grade = 15
C Grade = 8
Rising Star = 3
Need more time = 6
LIST NEEDS
Having 21 A, B and rising star players on this list, shows that it is well balanced and this why 2022 was so disappointing as they should have been a contender this year.
So it is a definite failure for the club in 2022.
For the Power it is time to look at investing in this draft and add more talented young players, bring in only A or B grade experienced players if they look at free agents, out of contract former SA players or players offered up in the trade period that suits their needs.
Miles Bergman isn’t a Rising Star in my eyes yet but he has the ability to be a B-grader and could replace what Karl Among could bring.
Mitch Georgiades is one Rising Star who can definitely elevate himself to A-grade. There’s a few sleepers in that rating bracket in him and Fantasia who could make the jump to become a top-end talent.
The Power’s ruck stocks are thin given the injury issues of Scott Lycett and it seems the side has put a line through young tall Sam Hayes. It must address this gap via the draft or by bringing in another established tall.
TRADE TARGETS
I think that if a quality free agent wanted to return home and make Port their new home, I am sure they would have the discussion, but they need to be mindful not to ignore this draft as there is a lot of talented SA players in this draft. I really like key forwards Tom Scully and Harry Lemmey, mid/forward Mattaes Philipou, midfielders William Dowling, Kobe Ryan and Adam D’Aloia, forward/ruck Isaac Keeler and ruck Harry Barnett.
I would ask the question about Jason Horne-Francis to see if they can convince him to head back home.
Horne-Francis would clean out their first two picks this year or first pick this year and an early future pick. Long term he’s going to be a good player and the Power need to get in before their cross-town rivals. Rankine going to the Crows does help the Power turn their attention to solely on enticing the young Roo.
Josh Dunkley has been linked to Port Adelaide and he would be a very good addition as he would add some grunt to the Power’s midfield.
He’s not the most skilful player but he does win clearances and his work rate is unbelievable. Dunkley’s the type of top end talent they need given they’ve lost Gray and Amon. The Power’s reported offer of one first-round pick is about right and would be a coup for the list management team.
Brodie Grundy would be an ideal target for the Power as they need a boost to their ruck stocks but it looks unlikely he will move to South Australia.
With that in mind, they should try and convince Sean Darcy to move from Fremantle given Luke Jackson’s interest in joining the Dockers. The Power should have the cap space to offer something worthwhile to the talented big man and would have the #1 ruck role. If Darcy is unattainable then his teammate Lloyd Meek should come into calculation. He is too good to just be playing in the WAFL.
TRADE BAIT
As stated, Port’s list is in good shape.
Karl Amon wants to return home and while this will be a big loss, they would get a nice early pick as compensation that could add a very talented young SA player or help initiate a deal for a Horne-Francis, Dunkley or some ruck coverage.
Grundy has a big contract to take over and Collingwood might be happy to move him on cheaply if the Power can take on his contract.
Dunkley would probably cost a combination of picks including the compensation for Amon and a future pick.
Sam Hayes still has a year to run on his contract and it seems they don’t think he’ll be a regular AFL player for the Power. He’s still only 23 and a nice size so if they can find a suitor they should look at a trade but he would probably only be worth a late pick. Still, they should move him on to open up another ruck spot.
Port Adelaide desperately needs to keep Georgiades as he’s so dangerous and he’s only 20. A player like him is hard to find.
CRYSTAL BALL
Port has a list still capable of winning a flag, they are a very well-run organisation and their recruiting and list management has been first class for many years and this is why Port Adelaide will be a contender again in 2023, after a disappointing 2022.
But it is time for this group to now make their mark after missing out in 2021 and disappointing in 2022, they must realise their time is now and the clock is ticking.
The club in all areas has done an enormous amount of hard work but it does not guarantee success, it has to be earnt with consistent and ruthless on field performances.
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Originally published as AFL 2022: Gary Buckenara rates Port Adelaide’s list at the end of the 2022 season
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