Gary Buckenara analyses the Port Adelaide list at the end of the 2021 season
An All-Australian year and lauded for his intercepting genius in 2021 - where does Gary Buckenara have Aliir Aliir ranked amongst Port’s stars?
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
What a great opportunity Port Adelaide had with a home preliminary final – but they blew it.
Despite having everything in their favour, they didn’t bring the finals intensity that was needed to match a brilliant performance by the Western Bulldogs.
It would have been painful for Ken Hinkley and his team to watch the grand final and again wonder what might have been.
It really hurts when you get so close and have to look on.
Kayo is your ticket to the best local and international sport streaming Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial >
The Power has a group that is capable of winning a premiership and this is what should burn and motivate them as they lick their wounds from 2021, recover and prepare for next year.
Opportunities to play off for a place in a grand final present rarely in the AFL and they must make their time in the flag window count.
Port Adelaide was just outplayed by the Bulldogs in the preliminary final, especially in the midfield where they just found it hard to get the football such was the fantastic finals pressure the Dogs brought to the contest. The Power had no answers.
Port fans should feel disappointed but just know the players and coaches will also be feeling it, too.
I am confident Port Adelaide will bounce back in 2022 and will again be one of the teams challenging to win the premiership.
LIST NEEDS
Port’s list is in good shape.
If they can keep developing the young talent and potentially add some free agents to the squad over the next few years, they can keep the list strong.
Having more than 20 A and B-grade players as well as eight 21 and under players including trio Connor Rozee, Zak Butters and Xavier Duursma as future AB graders highlights what is a really well-balanced list – and why they should be a contender for a number of years to come.
TRADE TARGETS
I don’t expect Port will be a very big player in the free agency or trade period as they don’t need to be.
But having said that, if a quality free agent wanted to make Port their new home, I am sure they would have the discussion.
They have become a destination club and opposition players such as Giant Jeremy Finlayson might see a great opportunity to play deep into the finals.
UNTOUCHABLES
The Power should be very happy with the shape of their list – even if it has not seen them winning any silverware.
The talent and balance of the players is very good, so keeping the list together would be a priority.
But you always need to keep an open mind when it comes to the trade period and bettering your hand in a draft if the right opportunity presents.
Unlike Collingwood in 2020, they will not be forced into sending players away at discounted rates to ease TPP problems.
TRADE BAIT
With the list in strong shape, I would be surprised to see players wanting to leave the club or the club trying to shop players around.
Port has stated it is happy to back its current list for another premiership tilt, although ruckman Peter Ladhams has been linked with a possible move and Sam Powell-Pepper could seek more midfield opportunities. Powell-Pepper has been touted for a move to West Coast.
I expect clubs to be a lot quieter during this trading period as the draft of 2021 has presented some real challenges for clubs to get a clear picture because of the inability to travel and watch players live.
Although they get footage, it is a dangerous practice to base recruiting decisions on vision alone.
MORE GARY BUCKENARA
RICHMOND: Every Tiger rated – Bucky names real A-graders
GOLD COAST: Who’s next in the Gold Coast feeding frenzy?
HAWTHORN: The Hawk who may be better off at a finals team
FREMANTLE: Dockers must force rivals to pay up in Cerra trade
WHAT THE RATINGS MEAN
List management is one of the most important jobs at an AFL club.
Poor decisions can be catastrophic — and Collingwood proved that last year.
Far too many clubs can often hold an overly-optimistic view when ranking their own lists and this can lead to years of mediocrity and has Carlton done this recently?
When clubs are rating their lists, they should rank players as: A+, A, B+, B, C+, C and Development.
In this list analysis, I have just done A, B, C and two tiers of development (“future AB players” and “need more time”) because with the younger players it is important to see who is coming through and those that need more time.
The important area for clubs to look at is how many A and B ranked players they have as well as future consistent AB players.
These rankings are my opinions, but they should give supporters a reasonable snapshot as to where their playing list sits now — and how they might look in a few years’ time.
Players 22 and over
A-grade: Elite players on any AFL list
B-grade: Top 10-18 player on most lists
C-grade: An 19-30 player on a list
DEVELOPING: AGED 21 OR UNDER
Future AB players: These are players that will hopefully develop into an A or B ranked player once they turn 22. They might be playing to this level now, but it takes sustained years.
Need more time: These players would be a player recently drafted that is still developing and therefore will need more time to see if he is likely to develop into an A or B grade player.
RATING THE PORT ADELAIDE LIST
A-grade: Tom Jonas, Robbie Gray, Travis Boak, Karl Amon, Ollie Wines.
B-grade: Sam Powell-Pepper, Ryan Burton, Todd Marshall, Dan Houston, Steven Motlop, Trent McKenzie, Orazio Fantasia, Tom Clurey, Aliir Aliir, Charlie Dixon, Kane Farrell, Riley Bonner, Willem Drew, Scott Lycett, Darcy Byrne-Jones, Peter Ladhams.
C-grade: Sam Mayes, Jarrod Lienert.
DEVELOPING
Future AB players: Xavier Duursma, Miles Bergman, Zak Butters, Mitch Georgiades, Connor Rozee, Boyd Woodcock, Jackson Mead, Martin Frederick.
Need more time: Dylan Williams, Sam Hayes, Ollie Lord, Trent Burgoyne, Lachie Jones, Taj Schofield, Jake Pasini, Jed McEntee.
Retired/delisted: Hamish Hartlett (delisted), Joel Garner (delisted), Tyson Goldsack (delisted), Tom Rockliff (retired).
PORT ADELAIDE LIST BREAKDOWN
A-grade: 5
B-grade: 16
C-grade: 2
Developing
Future AB players: 8
Need more time: 7
CRYSTAL BALL
Port Adelaide has a list capable of winning a flag, they are a very well-run organisation and their recruiting and list management has been first-class for many years.
These are the reasons why they will be a contender again in 2022.
MORE AFL
McGuane: What Port, Crows need at the draft
Legend’s pitch helped Crows seal Dawson coup
But it is time for the Power to now make a stand after falling short again this year.
The group needs to realise their time is now and it will not just be given to them, it has to be earned through hard work, dedication and ruthlessness.
The club has done a lot of great work in all areas but it needs to be translated to ultimate success by adding another cup to the cabinet at Alberton.
Originally published as Gary Buckenara analyses the Port Adelaide list at the end of the 2021 season
Sad career news after SANFL star’s horror pub fall
Sam May’s club has revealed what the 24-year-old said to his teammates in an emotional address last week.
‘Remarkable’ young gun setting Lions alight
At just 20 years of age and coming back from an ACL injury, the Brisbane Lions young star set the finals alight last week and earnt high praise from his teammates.