Port Adelaide
Coach – Ken Hinkley
2020 –
Points For – 2nd
Points Against – 1st
Top 5 Best and Fairest
- Darcy Byrne-Jones
- Travis Boak
- Tom Jonas
- Zak Butters
- Ollie Wines
- Trent McKenzie
2020 Rising Star Noms
Mitch Georgiades (Round 9)
Ins – Orazio Fantasia, Aliir Aliir, Lachlan Jones, Ollie Lord, Tyson Goldsack, Taj Schofield
Outs – Joe Atley, Wylie Buzza, Tobin Cox, Brad Ebert, Riley Grundy, Jake Patmore, Cam Sutcliffe, Jack Watts, Justin Westhoff
My Prediction
Port looked good last year. Much like Brisbane, they had an historically good scenario with primarily home games and a good run with injuries. They entered the year with the coach under pressure to perform and relying on a lot of young players to step up and take ownership over the team. They have drafted very well over the past couple of years and shown just how quickly you can turn things around if you get the right people.
The backline is an interesting one because it was the best performed in the points against stat but they look to have built it even further this year. The recruitment of Aliir Allir makes sense and I think he will likely come straight in but the rookie drafting of Goldsack is baffling. Clurey and Jonas form a solid foundation, McKenzie has been resurrected from the dead and they have quality half backs in Byrne-Jones and Hartlett.
The midfield is a very good mix of youth and experience. Wines, SPP and Rockliff give them plenty of grunt and ball winning. Boak, Duursma and Houston give them run and attack. They have their young brigade running through and looking for more time in the middle with Butters and Rozee. They generally have good users of the ball although SPP has a tendency to butcher it.
The forward line looked great based on Dixon remembering how to football and giving them a focal point. Marshall looked like a player and their young talent was dangerous. Rozee and Butters always look likely around goal. Robbie Gray looks to have dropped a yard in pace but remains dangerous and they have added Fantasia who if they can keep him fit physically and mentally engaged is going to make them a better team. His delivery into the forward 50 is as good as anyone in the game.
The rucks are again enough to make you question the need for a quality ruck with them carrying the awe inspiring duo of Lycett and Ladhams. They are both capable but the team relies more on the quality of their midfield than the taps that give them the ball. The coach needs a premiership to round out the resume, he has gotten the team to the top of the ladder and had them playing attractive footy, at some stage soon he needs to go the next step.
Port had a stellar year last year and looked every chance to make the grand final but just fell over at the final hurdle. Cant help but feel it would have been more interesting had they made it. They have added a couple of talented players to their list (and an over the hill hack) to have another run this year as well as the improvement expected from their young players. I think they are still a top four team but not the top team, I think they will finish 3-4.