Follow the latest news from Port Adelaide ahead of the 2022 AFL season
Port Adelaide is confident Charlie Dixon will play in Round 1 but it’s a different story for Orazio Fantasia. All the latest injury news plus the Power’s intra-club standouts.
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Port Adelaide forward Orazio Fantasia is expected to be unavailable for at least a couple of months after having knee surgery.
The 26-year-old went under the knife in Victoria on Thursday night to fix a sore right knee that had been nagging him over summer.
It was a follow-up to an earlier off-season procedure.
In a statement on Friday, the club said a timeline for Fantasia’s return would become clearer in coming weeks.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ ALL THE NOTES FORM THE POWER’S INTRA-CLUB MATCH
But Power assistant Nathan Bassett suggested the ex-Essendon goalsneak would be sidelined for the first month of the season.
“They’re talking about running in four to six weeks and probably a month of good training after that, and he should he ready to play,” Bassett said after the club’s internal trial of Friday.
“It sounds likes it (surgery) went reasonably well.”
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Last year, Fantasia’s first at the Power, he was restricted to 15 games and underwent surgery on his left knee.
Spearhead Charlie Dixon is close to running again as he recovers from ankle surgery.
Bassett said the club expected the 31-year-old to play in Round 1 – against Brisbane at the Gabba on March 19.
“Like with any injury, you’re never sure how quickly it recovers and he’s got to put 106kg through his ankle, so it’s a bit more than most,” he said.
“But he’s travelling pretty well.
“Charlie’s been in really good spirits, he’s been great around the footy club.”
Fantasia, Dixon, Sam Hayes (sore achilles), Trent Dumont (knee), Miles Bergman (shoulder) and Hugh Jackson (hip) were sidelined for the intra-club match.
Bassett said Hayes was close to playing on Friday.
But the Power’s forwards coach was unsure if the 22-year-old ruckman would be among the squad of 30 taken to the Gold Coast for next weekend’s trial game.
“I’d imagine we’d want to take a secondary ruckman if we could,” he said.
Port Adelaide had no injuries from Friday’s match.
Bassett was pleased with what he saw.
“We’ve had a good month, now we want another good month so we’re cherry ripe for Round 1,” he said.
The Power will cut the squad of 30 down to 26 to face the Suns.
INTRA-CLUB INTEL: Midfield hopeful steals the show at Power trial
Port Adelaide’s Round 1 probables went head-to-head with the rest of the squad in an internal trial at Alberton on Friday — check out all the details.
WHO STARRED
Sam Powell-Pepper missed a training session and was granted personal leave early last season, before finishing the campaign as the Power’s medical substitute in both finals.
Then he was linked with a return to Perth with West Coast during the trade period.
The Power told him he needed to become fitter if he wanted to play in the midfield.
On Friday, the 24-year-old started on the ball but for the weaker white team.
By game’s end, he was one of the best on ground and had switched to the stronger side, wearing black.
A trim looking Powell-Pepper found plenty of the footy, kicked three second-term majors and tirelessly chased opponents, applying the type of physical pressure associated with his best performances.
He was the star of the first half, even though he side was well down and he was pitted against the likes of Travis Boak, Ollie Wines and Zak Butters in the midfield.
“Pep has been very good and hasn’t really missed a beat,” Power assistant Nathan Bassett said.
“It was great for him to get a bit of a reward and push his case for Round 1.
“He’s given himself the best chance to play.”
In Charlie Dixon’s absence, GWS recruit Jeremy Finlayson, Todd Marshall and Mitch Georgiades (two goals) all performed strongly in attack for the black side.
MAGNETS MOVED
It has been one of the themes at Alberton over the past two summers – giving more midfield opportunities to the likes of Butters and Connor Rozee to help take the load off Wines and Boak.
Injuries stopped Butters from getting thrown in there more last year.
Both 2018 draftees spent lots of time on the ball on Friday.
Starting alongside Boak and Wines, and barely playing forward, Butters’ fast hands and quick thinking helped set up several attacking forays.
Rozee was thrust into the midfield soon after.
Bassett said the duo’s on-ball minutes would definitely increase this year, particularly for Butters.
“Zak’s spent the whole pre-season in the midfield,” he said.
“Connor will be doing a bit of both.”
With Butters on the ball, expect to see Boak closer to goals more often.
At one stage on Friday he was the Power’s deepest forward.
For the past month usual defender Dan Houston has been around the footy more, largely on the wing – his starting spot on Friday.
His clean disposal stood out and he was able to set up several forward thrusts for the stronger side.
Not bad for someone who hurt his ankle on Monday and the club thought might be sidelined for a fortnight.
“He hobbled out on crutches on Tuesday then was back jumping around by Wednesday and made a miraculous recovery, so it was good to see him back out there,” Bassett said.
“He brings a great skillset: his ability to run and get to the next contest, his ball use.”
Bassett said Houston kicked three goals from a wing in a 45-minute match simulation recently.
The forwards coach joked “we were starting to think he was a pretty good chance for the Coleman Medal”.
“He’s had a good pre-season,” he said.
RECRUITS/DRAFTEES
Whether it was his one-handed mark, neat pick-up below his knees that led to a goal or handy ruck support, former GWS forward Jeremy Finlayson was in the action, particularly in the first half.
Finlayson joined the Power during the trade period and should play a similar role to the departed Peter Ladhams, floating from attack to support Scott Lycett.
The ex-Giant covered the ground well and looked more than capable in the middle, winning a handful of clearances.
“It’s interesting when you’re talking to someone when you’re looking to recruit them and they tell you they like rucking,” Bassett said.
“You don’t often hear that from forwards very often, so that got us pretty excited.
“I think the relationship between him and Georgiades and Marshall with Robbie (Gray) is really important for us.
“They’re starting to connect and they’re quite nice ball users.
“Jeremy’s ball use is exceptional and so’s his finish.
“He did some very good things out there.”
Ken Hinkley has a history of playing high draft picks early in their debut seasons, such as Butters, Rozee, Xavier Duursma and Lachie Jones.
The Power match committee will be having that conversation about Josh Sinn in coming weeks after his eye-catching display.
Lanky, long-haired Dante Visentini looks like one for the future.
The first-year draftee toiled as the white side’s main ruckman, leaping high, attacking the footy and competing well against Lycett despite the gap in experience and weight.
“We actually started to think he looked a little bit like (Stephen) ‘Sticks’ Kernahan out there with the flowing hair,” Bassett said of Visentini, in reference to the Carlton great.
“Dante did a great job.”
Father-son draftee Jase Burgoyne almost took a screamer, while former North Melbourne midfielder Trent Dumont (knee) and ex-North Adelaide youngster Hugh Jackson (hip) were sidelined with injury.
ROUND 1 BOLTERS
Third-year father-son midfielder Jackson Mead’s improvement was there for all to see.
Yet to make his AFL debut since being drafted in 2019 and coming off a ruptured spleen that sidelined him for much of last year, Mead’s pre-season form had been a talking point at the club and he was very good on Friday.
He had no problems finding the ball, kicked a first-quarter goal and held his own against the Power’s first-choice midfielders.
His neat skills were evident when he kept the footy in play before showing composure to find Gray while tucked against the boundary.
The son of inaugural Power best-and-fairest winner Darren Mead began the game on the stronger team but was among those who swapped at half-time.
He looked to be switching between midfield and half-forward.
“Meady’s had an outstanding pre-season and is someone who’s certainly put his hand up to play and I’d imagine he’s right in the mix, depending on how he goes the next couple of weeks,” Bassett said.
Ex-Brisbane and South Adelaide defender Sam Skinner also received plenty of wraps this week for his training performances but he began on the weaker team.
He caught the eye a couple of times and typically was the white side’s deepest backman, standing Finlayson.
Skinner is likely in a three-way battle with Tom Clurey and Trent McKenzie for one spot.
“There’s a chance we could play two of them in the same side but it’s nice to have good depth,” Bassett said.
Power draftee bolts to the top of Round 1 queue
Port Adelaide’s top pick Josh Sinn has made a strong case for a Round-1 debut after an impressive showing in the club’s internal trial at Alberton on Friday.
Sinn, drafted with selection 12 in November, had not played for almost 10 months due to injury and Covid cancelling junior football in Victoria during 2021 but he did not look out of place mixing it with last season’s preliminary finalists.
Lining up mostly on a wing, the 19-year-old Sandringham Dragons product started on the weaker white side before switching to the first-choice squad at half-time.
The teams had been a probables versus the rest for the first three quarters.
Sinn, Jackson Mead, Xavier Duursma, Tom Clurey, Sam Powell-Pepper, Trent McKenzie and Steven Motlop featured for both, suggesting they could be in the thick of the battle for spots.
Port Adelaide can take up to 30 players to the Gold Coast to face the Suns next week before selecting 26 to play.
Assistant coach Nathan Bassett said he would be surprised if Sinn was not on the flight.
But he went some way to tempering early expectations on the long-haired left-footer, saying, like other Victorian draftees, Sinn had barely played any matches the past two years due to the pandemic.
“The recruiting footage we had of him was about six games over a couple of years … so it’s a little bit different this year compared to previous years,” Bassett said.
“But he’s looked very good so far.
“He’s a very talented young man and we’re starting to see a little bit more on the field now.
“Depending on how he performs (against Gold Coast) he gives himself a chance to play the week after and then see how we go.”
Sinn, who was also used a little at half-back and in the midfield, was not only poised in possession, but worked hard off the ball, winning three free kicks for chasedown tackles.
He found teammates in attack and space in transition.
“Josh is a good mover, can carry the footy and I thought his attack defensively was very good today in terms of how he tackled and got after the opposition,” Bassett said.
Sinn said he was hopeful of debuting as early in the season as possible but understood the team’s depth was strong as it chased a premiership.
“It was good fun,” Sinn told the crowd post-match.
“My body held out well so it’s onwards and upwards from here.”
PORT INTERNAL TRIAL
— Matt Turner (@mattturner1986) February 18, 2022
Mead, Clurey, Jones, Finlayson on stronger team.
Powell-Pepper, Skinner, McKenzie on the weaker side.
Dixon, Fantasia, Bergman, Hayes, Dumont, Farrell, Jackson not playing.#AFLpic.twitter.com/UTDRGzcZoW
Track watch: Port skipper’s closure on prelim embarrassment
The Power is seeking to move on from the 71-point home defeat to the Western Bulldogs when it plays its first match since September on Friday – an internal trial at Alberton Oval.
Jonas, who was reappointed as captain on Wednesday for a fourth consecutive season, said the team would not hide from the loss – its second in a row in a home preliminary final.
The squad sat through edited footage before Christmas to address the result and learn from what went wrong, such as getting smashed around the ball.
“I watched it more out of a little bit of closure, so I wanted to look back and see where we can improve, but also sort of use it as a full stop,” Jonas said.
“But everyone deals with it differently.
“I think the important thing is that we have acknowledged that we’re going to learn from it, but it’s not going to be defining for us.”
Asked how the team would make sure scars did not linger from the loss, Jonas said: “I think that’s something that you never truly know – the mental space is the great unknown, basically in life but ultimately sport”.
“We’ve got a mindfulness coach that we work really close with, (midfield coach) Nathan Bassett has taken on some of the emerging leaders’ responsibility and bringing some resources into that space.
“But I think we can just focus now on getting a really strong bank of training under our belt, have a really strong hitout in the intra-club and take it one week at a time.”
Jonas, who was appointed co-skipper in 2019 before taking on the role solo a year later, was named in a three-man leadership group on Wednesday, along with Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines and backman Darcy Byrne-Jones.
Hamish Hartlett’s delisting prompted the only change to the contingent.
Jonas believed it was the right mix for the Power while it developed emerging leaders like Dan Houston, Karl Amon, Orazio Fantasia, Connor Rozee, Zak Butters and Xavier Duursma.
Calling it a privilege to again wear Port Adelaide’s No. 1 guernsey, Jonas said he was keen to stay in the role until he, teammates or coaches felt he was no longer best suited.
“I’m comfortable in the position I am and I obviously want to lead this group to premiership – that’s our goal,” he said.
As for how the team would look in 2022, Jonas said the club would be similar but planned to tinker with its on-ball mix and move the ball faster.
“We’ll also focus on those big games, those big moments, being able to really solidify our structures around the stoppage, around the contest to make sure you don’t get beaten there,” he said.
“I think Friday’s a bit different for everybody – some blokes just want to blow the cobwebs out and others are looking for a potential opportunity to put their hand up for the Gold Coast (pre-season) game and then Round 1.”
TRAINING NOTES
Fantasia op for troubling knee
Port Adelaide forward Orazio Fantasia is heading to Victoria this week to go under the knife on a sore knee.
Fantasia is set for his third knee surgery since May after two operations on his left one last year.
The former Essendon goalsneak played 15 games in his first season at the Power in 2021.
“Hopefully that all goes well, he’ll jump into his rehab and we’ll have him back sooner rather than later,” newly reappointed Power skipper Tom Jonas said.
A fortnight after his ankle surgery, key forward Charlie Dixon was at Alberton without a moon boot for Wednesday’s training session.
He has been doing some gym work and handball drills as he pushes to be ready for the Power’s Round 1 game against Brisbane on March 19.
Fantasia and Dixon will be among those unavailable for Friday’s internal trial at Alberton.
Here are some other observations from Wednesday’s training:
Who plays down back?
Former Brisbane and South Adelaide player Sam Skinner’s name has kept being mentioned as one to keep an eye on at Alberton.
Since joining as a free agent in November, the 24-year-old’s intercept marking, reading of the ball in the air and attitude have impressed.
Can the 197cm Skinner push his way into the Power’s backline?
And what does Port Adelaide’s defence, which has been quite similar in recent years, look like in 2022?
Jonas said competition for backline spots was fierce as Skinner, second-year cult hero Lachie Jones and Tom Clurey, who was overlooked for much of last season, pushed their cases.
Miles Bergman is another in the mix now that he is reintegrating into the main squad, one month after his second shoulder surgery of the summer.
The 20-year-old was involved in match simulation on Wednesday, wearing a pink hat to ensure no contact was made with him.
He played all but one match for the Power last season after making his AFL debut in Round 1, starting the year at halfback before moving to the wing.
Jonas also said regular defenders Dan Houston or Riley Bonner — the club’s standout player in last year’s preliminary final loss — could spend more time near the ball or on the wing.
“There’s going to be some versatility,” he said.
“Sam Skinner’s looking really good … (and) Tommy Clurey’s had a terrific pre-season as well.
“I think you should always be looking over your shoulder and that’s why we’ve maintained such high standards because we’ve had that pressure from below (in the SANFL).
“If you don’t perform consistently, often enough someone’s going to replace you.”
High hopes
The sight of the Power’s top draftee Josh Sinn turning onto his left foot and kicking goals or finding forwards in space is already becoming common.
Sinn, taken from Sandringham Dragons with pick 12 last year, eluded a Jonas tackle before slotting a slick major on the run from a forward pocket on Monday.
On Wednesday, he hit Todd Marshall with a neat pass inside 50 during a game drill.
Sinn has spent some time training with the midfielders but appears more likely to start on a wing or halfback.
“He’s got a great athletic profile and really dangerous left foot,” Jonas said.
“But I’m probably most impressed by his eagerness to learn and his humility.”
Sitting out
Former North Melbourne midfielder Trent Dumont, ruckman Sam Hayes, draftee Hugh Jackson and defender Trent McKenzie were all training away from the main group.
Dumont is expected to be back running next week as he recovers from right knee surgery, while Hayes is nursing a sore achilles that prevented him from hitting the track on Monday.
Hayes did ruckwork and also joined Jackson in jogging along the sidelines.
Wingman Kane Farrell’s rehabilitation is going well, seven months on from his anterior cruciate ligament injury,
He took part in some footy drills and strength work, such as short runs while carrying a medicine ball.
Jonas said most of the Power’s squad should be available for Friday’s trial match.
“There may be players that are managed for portions of that game and there may be blokes that sit out but I can’t tell you at this stage,” he said.
Power coaches were expected to choose the two line-ups on Wednesday afternoon.
Defensive mentor
One of the loudest coaches at Port Adelaide trainings tends to be 2004 premiership star Chad Cornes.
Cornes, a long-time development mentor and ex-SANFL coach at the club, has been promoted to look after the Power’s backline for 2022.
“He coaches the way he played,” Jonas said.
“He’s really passionate, has got a great emphasis on toughness but he’s also great in the connection space and is really easy to converse and learn from, whether he’s delivering a message that it’s not good enough or he likes what you did there.
“He’s going to be a great addition to our backline.”
POWER’S TWEAKED LEADERSHIP GROUP UNVEILED
Defender Tom Jonas will captain Port Adelaide for a fourth consecutive season.
Jonas, who was appointed co-skipper in 2019 before taking on the role solo a year later, was named in a three-man leadership group on Wednesday, along with Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines and backman Darcy Byrne-Jones.
Hamish Hartlett’s departure from Port Adelaide prompted the only change to the contingent.
Jonas, 31, has helped steer the team to consecutive preliminary finals.
Power coach Ken Hinkley said the club was fortunate to have a strong group of leaders, none more so than Jonas.
“He leads by example on and off the field and drives the standards expected of those who represent the Port Adelaide Football Club,” Hinkley said.
“Ollie and Darcy have been a wonderful support for Tom and each of them brings unique skills and perspectives to the leadership group.
“There is no doubt that Tom, Ollie and Darcy are the right leaders to take our club forward.”
Wines, who shared the captaincy with Jonas in 2019, joined the leadership group in 2015, when he was elevated as a 20-year-old.
Byrne-Jones, 26, was added to the group last season.
HOW MANY FANS WILL BE IN ADELAIDE OVAL FOR ROUND 1?
South Australia’s two AFL clubs are hopeful full houses will be allowed at Adelaide Oval for the start of the season as they continue “really positive” talks with authorities.
The city venue’s capacity was reduced for much of the past two years due to Covid, including to 50 per cent for the Power’s preliminary final loss in September.
With Round 1 kicking off in four-and-a-half weeks, Port Adelaide and the Crows are anticipating larger home crowds will return amid the clubs’ talks with the State Government and the gradual reduction in SA’s daily coronavirus cases since New Year’s Day.
The ground was restricted to 65 per cent capacity – 35,000 fans – for the Ashes Test in December.
“We’re hoping for 100 per cent capacity at Adelaide Oval by the time we get back to Round 1,” Port Adelaide chief executive Matthew Richardson said.
“We’ve been in really positive conversations with the stadium and the government around that.
“If things continue to trend as they are at the moment, we’re really hopeful that it’ll happen.”
Adelaide Oval’s capacity was at 75 per cent – 40,000 – when the Crows opened last season with a shock win over Geelong.
The Crows launch their 2022 campaign when they host Fremantle on Sunday, March 20. The Power’s first home game is a Saturday night clash against Hawthorn the following week.
Richardson said indications suggested Port Adelaide members who had reserved seats would be able to remain in them.
“So there might only be minor restrictions by the time we get to Round 1,” he said.
A Stadium Management Authority spokesman said there was no update regarding oval crowds.
Adelaide Oval introduced a double vaccination mandate in November, requiring patrons to show proof they had received two jabs.
Meanwhile, Port Adelaide has turned its finances around by $8.8 million, bouncing back from a tough first year of the Covid pandemic and clearing a significant chunk of its debt.
On Tuesday, the club announced a $4.7 million statutory profit for 2021, which followed a $4 million loss 12 months earlier.
It also declared it had repaid $3.2 million in debt, driven by a growth in operating revenues across membership, corporate partnerships, hospitality and gate receipts.
Like other AFL clubs, Port Adelaide redesigned its business model two years ago once Covid struck.
Port Adelaide chairman David Koch said rather than aspiring to be debt-free or sustainable, his club’s goal was to be financially powerful.
“The entire Port Adelaide Football Club community has contributed to this impressive result, achieved during such challenging times, and should be excited about what is ahead,” Koch said.
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