Port the ‘perfect fit’ for ex-Cat Esava Ratugolea as backline set for major shake-up after off-season additions

Port Adelaide came calling very early for born-again key defender Esava Ratugolea, with the former Cat saying his new club is a ‘perfect fit’, with a significant shake-up for its backline looming.

4/12/23. Port Adelaide Training - #27 Esava Ratugolea Picture: Keryn Stevens

Former Geelong defender Esava Ratugolea describes Port Adelaide as the perfect fit for him to take his game to another level.

Ratugolea was traded for picks 25, 76 and 94 in October, 12 months after the Cats rejected Port’s push to get him, holding him to his deal.

Although he was reluctant to leave Geelong, the 25-year-old believed he needed to do so to take his game to another level.

Ratugolea had struggled to cement his spot at the Cats, playing 75 games in seven seasons, including 16 last campaign.

At the Power, there was an opportunity to become an AFL regular in a defence that had been undersized and often too reliant on Aliir Aliir.

Esava Ratugolea on the move at Port Adelaide training this week. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Ratugolea said having Port coach Ken Hinkley in his ear for a couple of years helped convince him to move.

“This was the perfect fit for me,” Ratugolea said.

“(Last season) I kept second-guessing myself and it was a tough year because I love that place (Geelong) so much and it wasn’t an easy decision.

“Port showed a lot of trust in me.

“Ken was good with that and convinced me pretty early.

“I’ve come to a place where that opportunity’s there for me, I’ve just got to grab it with both hands.

“Consistency and keeping my spot in the side is something I’ve struggled with the last few years.”

Ratugolea was on an early morning run with ex-Cat turned Power goalsneak Francis Evans in Paris when his trade happened.

“I said to my manager ‘call me if anything happens, but I don’t really want to be going back and forth’,” he said.

“I was running past the Eiffel Tower, which was nice.”

Ratugolea had been standing the biggest forward this pre-season, releasing Aliir Aliir, but said the team wanted to remain flexible.

Wednesday’s match simulation gave a glimpse into the tight battle for backline spots at Port this season.

Esava Ratugolea in traffic during Port Adelaide’s training session on Wednesday. Picture: Keryn Stevens.

In the top team, wearing black guernseys, were Ratugolea, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Aliir, Miles Bergman, Dan Houston and Lachie Jones.

The other side’s backline included Ryan Burton, Trent McKenzie, Josh Sinn, Kane Farrell and Dylan Williams in white jumpers.

Four of those players – all bar Sinn – lined up in defence in last year’s losing semi-final against GWS.

It can be fraught with danger reading too much into pre-season match simulation line-ups, but this time of year provides clues on the make-up of clubs’ preferred teams.

Ex-Western Bulldog Jordon Sweet rucked for the A side, before swapping to the Bs for Dante Visentini.

Richmond recruit Ivan Soldo played in attack for the second team.

Soldo is on the comeback trail from finger surgery and has not been rucking yet this year.

Half-back turned wingman Jase Burgoyne played with the top team and small forward Jed McEntee split his time between the sides.

New captain Connor Rozee missed the session with illness, while spearhead Charlie Dixon was sidelined with a mild groin strain stemming from a training injury.

Originally published as Port the ‘perfect fit’ for ex-Cat Esava Ratugolea as backline set for major shake-up after off-season additions