Port Adelaide mid-season review: Trade targets, list analysis and the Power’s biggest contract questions
The Power is currently the AFL’s hottest team, yet there are still areas that could be improved. Check out our mid-season review and find out who Port could target for 2024.
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If you told Power fans their side would be 12-2, sitting atop of the ladder and all pressure off coach Ken Hinkley at the bye then they would have jumped at that without question.
Off the back of further breakout seasons from dynamic duo Connor Rozee and Zak Butters plus the arrival of Jason Horne-Francis, Port have been exciting to watch and tough to beat at home.
Simeon Thomas-Wilson looks at what has changed at Alberton in 2023.
Trade review:
IN:
Jason Horne-Francis
Junior Rioli
Pick 33
Future 2nd (COL), Future 3rd (FRE)
OUT:
Karl Amon
Pick 8, 57
Future 1st (to NM), Future 2nd (to WCE), Future 3rd (to WCE)
The Power’s strong recruiting continued as they lured Jason Horne-Francis back home, just a year after he was taken with Pick No. 1 by North Melbourne. Along with Horne-Francis in the four club mega trade, the Power also snared Junior Rioli from West Coast. They gave up a lot in terms of draft picks but Horne-Francis is a star in the making and has already had some huge games to have the Power fans extremely excited about a midfield of him, Connor Rozee and Zak Butters going forward. Rioli has had some quiet games but has 14 goals and provided a spark as a small forward. The Power will be very happy with how the trade is faring so far from their end.
Draft review
None of Tom McCallum (Pick 36), Tom Scully (Pick 53) and Kyle Marshall (Pick 59) have tasted AFL action for the Power so far, with all three ones for the future in the club’s eyes. Scully had some good moments in pre-season and in the SANFL, while Marshall has impressed as a tall defender. None are signed up beyond their initial deal.
Pass mark
A return to finals was the very least the Power expected after a horror 2022. But after the club’s best winning streak ever with 11 straight wins, Port Adelaide will be eyeing a top four finish at the very least in home-and-away season. Regarding finals, is now making a prelim now the expectation? Or is it grand final or bust?
Who is out of contract and playing for a new deal.
He’s been their captain since 2019 but all of a sudden Tom Jonas’ future at Alberton is looking unclear. The 32-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and has been out of the Power team for multiple weeks now.
Jonas isn’t the only big Power name facing an uncertain future.
Orazio Fantasia needs to string games together to earn a new contract at Alberton after his injury woes over the past year.
Scott Lycett also looked to be in trouble but he has had a couple of good games since coming back into the AFL side.
Riley Bonner, Trent Dumont and Sam Hayes are other out of contract players who might be sweating on their futures.
Travis Boak and Charlie Dixon should get new deals at some point this year, as should young defender Jase Burgoyne, while Trent McKenzie has been impressive in the Power’s defence.
Dylan Williams has been outstanding for the Power and should get a new contract but he is now an unrestricted free agent after he was cut and then re-rookied last year.
Miles Bergman and Mitch Georgiades are still unsigned and are getting interest from other clubs.
The trade moves they should make
WHO SHOULD THEY TARGET?
The Power have been forthright in their view that they need a readymade key defender with their defence still arguably a bit undersized.
They made a play at Geelong’s Esava Ratugolea and could do so again, while expect them to be in the mix for North Melbourne’s Ben McKay if he chooses to depart the Roos.
Outside of that, Port could be in the mix for a ruckman after trying to lure Brodie Grundy back to SA – but there are no real standout candidates available from other clubs yet.
WHO CAN THEY USE AS TRADE BAIT?
If either Bergman or Georgiades, or both, decide they want to depart, then the Power will obviously be upset at losing a young gun.
But they should get something good if either decide to walk out.
Georgiades’ season is over after he suffered an ACL injury, but he is still highly rated, while Bergman has been sensational in 2023.
Champion Data’s biggest green + red flags
Green Flag – No.1 for time in forward half, points from forward half intercepts and points from forward half chains.
Red Flag – No.10 for points conceded from a turnover.
Originally published as Port Adelaide mid-season review: Trade targets, list analysis and the Power’s biggest contract questions
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