AFL 2021: Follow all Port Adelaide’s post-season news
Hamish Hartlett’s chances to play again at the elite level are looking slim but the Power favourite could have a new home across town.
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Former Port Adelaide star Hamish Hartlett has spoken to the Crows about becoming a development coach and playing for its SANFL team.
A month after not receiving a contract at Alberton, Hartlett’s chances of extending his 193-game AFL career appear slim, but he has discussed a switch to the Power’s fierce rival.
Adelaide is seeking a development coach who is also a leadership player for its reserves.
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Matthew Wright has filled the role since 2019 and will remain at West Lakes.
The Crows have chatted to several people for the position.
Hartlett has at least two opportunities already on the table: one at an interstate AFL team to join its development coaching ranks and also to be a playing assistant at junior SANFL club West Adelaide.
His brother Adam is an assistant at the Bloods and West mentor Brad Gotch knows the ex-Power vice-captain from his two seasons in the coaching ranks at Alberton.
Hartlett’s preference is to continue playing in the AFL and he believes he still has something left in the tank, but he is yet to attract any interest.
With the trade period set to finish next Wednesday, Hartlett and his manager will make a decision on his future in the coming week if he does not receive any AFL playing offers.
Gotch said he planned to catch up with Hartlett in the coming days.
“Getting him would be huge for us,” Gotch told News Corp.
“He’s got his brother here and there’s ties with Westies, so we’ll put a good presentation to him.
“Fingers crossed, but he’s got some big decisions to make.”
AFL clubs’ tight lists are believed to be hampering Hartlett’s chances of extending his career at the elite level, while his injury history may also be concerning some teams.
He was restricted to 10 games this year after undergoing two knee surgeries in 12 months and was battling a quad issue late in the campaign.
Hartlett also ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in 2018 and endured shoulder, knee and hamstring problems during his career, only twice playing every game in a season – in 2015 and 2020.
But he has also been a key member and culture driver of the Power’s squad, as vice-captain in 2016, 2019 and 2020, then in the leadership group this year.
Last Thursday night, Hartlett became emotional when he spoke at Port Adelaide’s best and fairest about leaving the club.
He told News Corp last month: “I would have loved to have finished my playing days at Port Adelaide but that wasn’t to be”.
The Power is set to re-sign small forward Jed McEntee as a rookie on a one-year deal.
McEntee, 19, joined the club via the mid-season draft.
Veteran Sam Mayes will have to wait until after the trade period to learn his fate but is in line to receive another one-year contract.
Wines: ‘don’t define us by that preliminary final loss’
Port Adelaide star Ollie Wines has urged people not to judge the Power on its preliminary final thrashing, saying the club has a strong body of work over the past two years and is “definitely not over the cliff”.
Speaking after winning his first John Cahill Medal on Thursday night, Wines echoed a similar sentiment to Ken Hinkley from about half an hour earlier, when the coach said his side got it wrong in the 74-point defeat to the Western Bulldogs.
“Don’t judge us by one game, judge us by the collective,” Hinkley said.
Wines avoided watching last week’s grand final and stayed off social media because “(the loss) is still a little bit raw for me and I haven’t been able to look at too much footy”.
He said the Power had reviewed its season and was now focused on challenging again in 2022.
“As Ken said, don’t define us by that preliminary final loss or last year’s (six-point) loss to Richmond,” Wines said.
“I think our body of work over the last two years, winning the most home-and-away games out of anyone and getting in a position to get home prelims is really super, and we have a lot of upside and opportunity in our group.
“We still think we’ll be competing for five to ten years.
“We’re getting better, we’re definitely not over the cliff.”
Wines, who polled 229 votes to finish 62 clear of runner-up Travis Boak and also won the Power’s maiden Brownlow Medal last month, said the past fortnight had been surreal.
He realised he was having a career-best season when the Power had the bye in Round 12.
“I think my second half of the year was a lot stronger and was probably down to the fact I like that grind, like when it gets tougher and when I have to work a bit harder,” he said.
Wines said kicking more majors and trying to become the best handballer in the competition were two individual goals for 2022.
He said his family had stayed up late tuning into the count and rode every bump this season from Victoria while the state dealt with Covid restrictions.
“That’s been their outlet for the last 18 months, watching us,” he said.
Notable moments:
Departing Power veteran Hamish Hartlett became emotional when he reflected on his journey, particularly when speaking of his family’s support. His speech touched on how his ACL in 2018 helped him become a better teammate, how he would not feel entirely fulfilled about his playing career but was proud of his contribution to the culture, would miss his teammates but not Steven Motlop’s*** jokes, and thanked Whitney Wolfe, the founder of dating app Bumble, which led to him meeting his partner Luba.
Captain Tom Jonas and Hinkley said Power senior assistant turned Carlton coach Michael Voss had been instrumental in building the side’s connection, which had been crucial to it reaching consecutive preliminary finals.
Magpies best-and-fairest Sam Hayes paid tribute to runner-up Joel Garner, whom he first played with when he was 10. Garner was delisted last week after four games in four years.
Chairman David Koch gave a shout-out to club legend Russell Ebert, who was unable to attend due to his leukaemia battle. Koch said everyone in the Port Adelaide community was thinking of him. “You’re always in our prayers and you inspire each and every one of us,” Koch said via video link.
Magarey Medallist Jeremy Clayton and Magpies coach and ex-Port Adelaide SANFL defender Matthew Lokan received life memberships.
Koch takes dig at Crows’ handout
Port Adelaide chairman David Koch has taken a not-so-subtle dig at the Crows’ search for a new home in his best and fairest speech on Thursday night.
After referring to the Power’s proposed $15 million redevelopment of its Alberton Oval training centre and community hub as shovel-ready, Koch said it was “unlike other clubs who have received Federal Government assistance simply based on a dream”.
“Ours is a reality and we’re well into it,” Koch said in his opening address.
Cross-town rival Adelaide is seeking to move from its West Lakes base and wants a headquarters at one of two sites: the former Gasworks in Brompton or Thebarton Oval.
The Crows, along with Melbourne-based developer Pelligra, have submitted a proposal as part of Renewal SA’s tender process for Brompton.
Adelaide, which has already received $15m in federal funding for a move, is expecting to find out next month if it is successful.
“We have a site, we have approved plans and we are ready to go,” Koch said.
“We’re confident this will be finalised very soon.”
Koch said the Power’s Federal Government assistance was “pending”.
He said Port Adelaide chief executive Matthew Richardson met with Finance Minister Simon Birmingham on Thursday to work out the “finer details”.
The club’s plans to transform Alberton Oval total about $30m.
Improving its training centre for its men’s AFL and SANFL sides, as well as its AFLW team entering the competition in 2022, and adding two indoor basketball courts and an outdoor soccer pitch to create a community hub with local sports clubs remain the last piece of the puzzle.
The Power has already secured $1.5m in funding through the Office for Recreation and Sport to upgrade its change rooms in the Fos Williams Family Stand for women’s use.
Work is also underway on the social club’s $5m upgrade.
“It’s going to be a precinct we will be very proud of and it will set up club up for a very exciting future,” Koch said.
Port Adelaide’s redevelopment plan has been opposed by some local residents worried about increased traffic and reduced green space.
Alberton Oval has been the club’s home since 1880.
In his speech, Koch also said the Power’s 71-point preliminary final loss this month “burns in all of our guts”, but there were no excuses.
“We owned it,” he said.
“We were smacked in the face.”
Koch was optimistic about what was ahead, comparing this season’s finals disappointments to those from 2001-03, before the club broke through to win the flag in 2004.
“We don’t need to dramatically change our program,” he said.
“This group will win our next premiership, I know it.”
Make it a double: Wines adds Power Bnf to Brownlow
Two years ago, Ollie Wines missed 10 games, suffered injury while waterskiing, questioned his future, was linked to Carlton and lost the Power co-captaincy.
Now, he has backed up his Brownlow Medal and maiden All-Australian selection by claiming his first Port Adelaide best and fairest.
The midfielder polled 229 votes – a whopping 62 more than runner-up Travis Boak – to take home the John Cahill Medal at Adelaide Convention Centre on Thursday night.
Off-season recruit Aliir Aliir was three behind Boak on 164, while on-baller Karl Amon (146) and captain Tom Jonas (137) rounded out the top five.
Wines went into the count as a hot favourite after a brilliant, career-best campaign that had already resulted in the Power’s inaugural Brownlow Medal success.
Playing all 24 games, the Echuca product averaged 32.4 disposals, 5.9 clearances, 5.2 inside 50s and 4.4 tackles to help lead Port Adelaide to a second consecutive preliminary final.
Wines polled in an AFL-record 16 minor rounds on Brownlow night and, on Thursday, he received votes in all 24 matches, including both finals.
He had twice finished runner-up in the John Cahill Medal – in 2016 and then equal-second in 2018 – but had never snared the Power’s highest individual honour.
His win capped a stunning season and turnaround from two years ago.
In 2019, he dislocated his shoulder waterskiing in January, sidelining him for the opening two games, then later fractured his fibula and broke his thumb, going on to play just 12 matches.
At the end of that season, he weighed up his future at the club, was linked with Carlton and lost the co-captaincy, as the Power reverted to a supporter-backed one-skipper model.
Wines looked a long way from producing this type of season then.
But he returned to form last year, finishing equal-fifth in the club’s best and fairest.
An injury-free run, being more settled in Adelaide with a new girlfriend, a greater understanding of his midfield role and the team’s form were factors behind Wines becoming one of the competition’s standout players in 2021.
He took the count lead on Thursday night after polling 14 votes against Carlton in Round 5 and streaked ahead from here.
Wines’s best performances were 15-vote games versus Essendon (Round 2) and St Kilda (Round 6).
Each player was rated between zero and five post-game by a panel of coach Ken Hinkley, senior assistant Michael Voss, football manager Chris Davies and their line mentors.
Players could receive a maximum of 20 votes per match.
This happened just once – Aliir Aliir in the Round 21 Showdown.
Boak, who this year became the club’s AFL games record holder, won the Fos Williams Medal for best team man, as voted by the players, for the sixth time – the most in Power history.
The former captain was also recognised for his community work by receiving the John McCarthy Award.
Karl Amon, who emerged as a star of the competition in 2021, took home the Coaches’ Award for most improved.
High-flying forward Mitch Georgiades claimed the Gavin Wanganeen Medal for best player under 21 after booting 32 goals from 21 games.
Fourth-year Power ruckman Sam Hayes won Port Adelaide’s SANFL best and fairest, the AR McLean Medal.
Hayes, who was yet to play an AFL game, finished 24 votes ahead of recently delisted defender Joel Garner.
LEADERBOARD
1. Ollie Wines 229 votes
2. Travis Boak 167
3. Aliir Aliir 164
4. Karl Amon 146
5. Tom Jonas 137
6. Ryan Burton 132
Dan Houston 132
8. Darcy Byrne-Jones 125
9. Charlie Dixon 123
10. Scott Lycett 120
Power vow to play hardball on Ladhams
It will take “something significant” for Port Adelaide to part with young ruckman Pete Ladhams, Power general manager football Chris Davies says.
The 23-year-old is exploring his options ahead of the trade period, despite a year left on his deal.
Ladhams played 17 games this year, and didn’t miss a game from Round 18 onwards as a forward/ruck option.
But Davies said the young gun wanted more time in the ruck.
I think with regards to Pete and a number of players across our list from time to time they have a want to explore what they want to achieve from their career,” he told Trade Radio.
“And, in fairness to Pete, he is looking to get more ruck time. We are probably saying, at the moment, that we have Scott Lycett ahead of him, that’s not to say that we don’t think Pete can be a real significant player and he is contracted to us.”
Davies said because of this it would take something big for Port to part with Ladhams.
“Unless there‘s a proper outcome for both parties, then I would suggest, right now, Peter is going to be at Port Adelaide next year,” he said.
“At the same time, we understand this period is about players as much as anything exploring what they want from their career, and Pete is in a hurry to get that spot. We think there‘s a player in front of him at the moment that we have a large degree of faith in.
“I would hesitate to suggest Pete won‘t be at our footy club next year.
“It’s going to take something significant, I think, for us to be contemplating not having him in our team next year.”
Davies also said list manager Jason Cripps was doing a lot of due diligence on players as the Power are linked to GWS and Hawthorn forwards Jeremy Finlayson and Tim O’Brien.
Port superstar to go around again
Three-time Port Adelaide best-and-fairest winner Robbie Gray has signed on for a 16th season at the Power in 2022.
The four-time All-Australian and five-time Showdown Medallist did not play enough games in 2021 to trigger a new deal for 2022.
But the Power and the 33-year-old have agreed a new one-year contract for the 255-gamer.
Port Adelaide list manager Jason Cripps said Gray continued to play an important role for the club on and off the field for the Power.
“Robbie has been remarkably consistent for a long period of time and he continues to be capable of things that many others aren’t,” he said.
“His experience has proven invaluable in terms of the development of our younger players and we’re pleased to have him remain at the club for another season.”
Ahead of the club’s best-and-fairest count on Thursday night, Gray was one of three Power players to agree new deals.
Riley Bonner has been rewarded for a strong end to the season with a new two-year deal, while Martin Frederick has agreed to a one-year contract.
Bonner was the Power’s best player in the preliminary final horror show against the Western Bulldogs, while Frederick played eight games in 2021 after making his debut this year.
“Riley’s back half of the season was particularly strong, culminating in a standout performance in the preliminary final,” Cripps said.
“He has shown an ability to play various roles in 2021 and we expect that versatility to benefit our side going forward.
“Marty worked hard on his game in the pre-season and was rewarded with his AFL debut in Round 6.
“He is an exciting young player with an ability to play in the backline or on the wing and we look forward to his ongoing development.”
Brownlow Medallist Ollie Wines will be the hot favourite to add a John Cahill Medal as Port Adelaide’s best-and-fairest for 2021 to his trophy cabinet.
After a stellar 2021 campaign, in which he became the first ever Power player to win the Brownlow earlier this month, Wines is also expected claim his inaugural John Cahill Medal on Thursday night.
Awarded to the best performing Power AFL player, following the completion of each game the panel of senior coach Ken Hinkley, senior assistant Michael Voss, each respective line coach and general manager football Chris Davies cast votes.
Each player’s performance is rated between zero and five, with a maximum of 20 and a minimum of zero votes awarded per player per game.
Defender Darcy Byrne-Jones won last year’s award, but Wines’ main competition is expected to come from elsewhere.
Travis Boak has again had an outstanding year, while Aliir Aliir was an All-Australian team member along with Wines, and Karl Amon made the 40-person squad.
Charlie Dixon’s team-first attitude, and strong year in his contested game – he was second for marks in 2021 – will also have him high up in calculations.
Willem Drew had a breakout year in the Port Adelaide midfield, and his ability to perform negating jobs around stoppages should impress coaches while Tom Jonas is also a strong vote-getter in the award.
Boak will also be going for a third straight Fos Williams Medal for the best clubman as voted by the players.
Mitch Georgiades and Miles Bergman will fight out the Gavin Wanganeen Medal for Port Adelaide’s best player under 21 years old.
Other awards include the John McCarthy Award, to a player who made an outstanding contribution to the community – external of the club’s existing programs – during the year and the coaches award.
Port will also award the AR McLean Medal, the Anthony Williams Memorial Trophy and the Bob Clayton Memorial Award for the first time since 2019 after its SANFL participation did not happen in 2020.
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