Port Adelaide defender Josh Sinn focused on playing regularly, not contract talks, as he enters last season of his deal

He has been touted as a breakout contender for Port Adelaide and is unsigned beyond this year. But for now this Power youngster’s focus is on playing regularly, not a new deal.

Port Adelaide line-breaker Josh Sinn wants to establish himself at AFL level – in Dan Houston’s spot – before turning his attention to his contract.

Sinn enters the final season of his deal having played just 10 matches in three injury-hit campaigns since being selected at pick 12 in the 2021 national draft.

The Victorian half-back is sure to have interest from clubs in his home state the longer he remains unsigned.

But at the front of his mind is building on his momentum from playing two finals and a first uninterrupted pre-season as he tries to help replace All-Australian half-back Houston.

Josh Sinn (Centre) is entering the final year of his deal. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“I spoke to (coach) Ken (Hinkley) about this and I just want to focus everything on football,” said Sinn, who signed his previous contract extension in March 2022 before he had even played a game.

“I’ve had a pretty tough three years.

“We both spoke about how it’s probably going to be hard to avoid the question about contract talks but I’m honestly not thinking about anything past our first pre-season game against Adelaide.

“I don’t think any real chats have been going on.

“I think I want to stay here, definitely.

“But I want to play AFL football and stay injury-free – that’s the best outcome for this year.”

Getting his body right was the main theme of Sinn’s post-season chats with the Power.

Last year he sustained a broken collarbone, limiting him to six AFL and seven SANFL matches.

The 187cm backman trained for four weeks with a strength and conditioning coach in Melbourne during the off-season, looking to lose a little weight while getting stronger.

They tweaked things in his program, such as eliminating squats and replacing them with hip thrusts, to help his hip issues, the cause of many of his injury problems.

He also visited the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the US teammates Jason Horne-Francis and Lachie Jones visited.

The college identified one of Sinn’s hip muscles as larger than on the corresponding side during testing.

Sinn was apart of the Power’s 2024 finals campaign. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

He said there was a little more pressure on him going into this season, but training more than ever this summer was boosting his confidence.

“I haven’t had one injury niggle since coming back,” he said.

“I think I’ve missed 30 minutes of training.

“You feel so much fitter and I’m consistently banking sessions, which I’ve never been able to do.”

Teammates’ misfortune late last season opened the door for him to make his finals debut.

Houston was suspended for a bump on Izak Rankine in the penultimate minor round, Kane Farrell injured his hamstring the next week, then Ryan Burton was ruled out before the semi-final against Hawthorn because of calf soreness.

Sinn held his own in the thrilling home victory over the Hawks and kept his spot for the preliminary final loss against Sydney.

Originally published as Port Adelaide defender Josh Sinn focused on playing regularly, not contract talks, as he enters last season of his deal