Recap of last season

The 2022 season for Port Adelaide was all about their terrible start. Losing their first five matches Port Adelaide was behind from ball one. While Port managed to get things going in the second half of the season some crucial losses to quality teams in Geelong, Melbourne, Collingwood and Richmond meant they would miss the eight and without winning games against other top-eight sides probably didn't deserve to.

Port Adelaide is certainly a better side than an 11th-place finish though having done really well in the COVID-affected seasons finishing 2021 in second. Perhaps Port just adapted to the pressure of COVID better or perhaps their playing style is now out of date, AFL of course does move super quickly.

Unless a premiership is coming the Power's way this season then this is likely to be Ken Hinkley's final season at Alberton. No doubt he has been a quality coach but the questions around if the game has passed him by will still be asked. With a strong side, it's hard to see how Port Adelaide could finish as badly as they did last season.

How can they improve

It's going to be another tough start for the Power in 2023. Opening matches against Brisbane, Collingwood, Sydney, Adelaide and the Bulldogs means they could easily have another bad start as they did in 2022.

Port need to win the big games if they are going to go deep into finals this season, last year's 2-9 record against the top eight sides is simply not good enough. Across every line, the Power have incredible talent, and their recruiting has been impressive, hard to say they're a destination club at this point but the Power is certainly close.

The Power simply needs to be kicking more goals in 2023 if they are to win. Todd Marshall finished 14th in the Coleman but outside of him, Port need to go to 54th to find their next best. A big season from Charlie Dixon really is needed for the Power to go far, injuries of course the big problem there.

List changes

IN: Nathan Barkla (category B rookie), Francis Evans (delisted free agent, Geelong), Jason Horne-Francis (trade, North Melbourne), Kyle Marshall (No.59 draft pick), Tom McCallum (No.36 draft pick), Junior Rioli (trade, West Coast), Thomas Scully (No.53 draft pick)

OUT: Karl Amon (free agent, Hawthorn), Martin Frederick (delisted), Robbie Gray (retired), Sam Mayes (delisted), Steven Motlop (retired), Taj Schofield (delisted), Sam Skinner (delisted)

Biggest Strength

It will be difficult to move on from Robbie Gray and likely Travis Boak at the end of this season, but the Power has plenty of emerging stars in key positions to make up for these eventual losses.

Zak Butters, Mitch Georgiades and Miles Bergman have all been gun young players for the Power in recent years, and that's without Todd Marshall, who might not be as young but is clearly set up to take over as one of the lead key forwards, alongside Charlie Dixon.

Jason Horne-Francis also comes into this side adding to the depth and strength of youngsters, he has the potential to be a decade-long superstar at the Power.

Biggest Weakness

While the key positions are all quite strong the Port Adelaide midfield looks a little light on. With Boak almost finished, Gray no longer around to jump in when required and the same with Karl Amon the younger guys will certainly be tested.

However with Ollie Wines still the bull in the middle having won a Brownlow just a couple of years ago now it's hard to see this being a major problem. Horne-Francis is also likely to spend time in the midfield while also going forward when required.

Rising Star

Jason Horne-Francis has been talked about enough to make you think he's already played 10 seasons. Few players have had such a good first season and have brought so much to the trade table after just one season.

He averaged 16.5 disposals in his first 17 games averaging 2.8 points per match. They aren't numbers that are going to get you near the Brownlow Medal, but after just one season of playing show that he has plenty to give to the Power going forward.

Prediction

The coup that was getting Jason Horne-Francis from North Melbourne is also a massive one for the future of this group. He will fit in nicely and from the first warm-up match has found his place and role in this group that has been pretty consistent in name at least for the last couple of years.

Junior Rioli coming into the midfield/small forward role to essentially replace Robbie Gray was an excellent trade for the power and for Rioli who will thrive in this new environment.

With a good mix of experience and young guns, the Power certainly looks good. The backline has been an issue in the past and could easily be again with no changes being made here. Scott Lycett in the ruck could also be an issue depending on fitness.

Plenty of problems to highlight but overall this is still a strong side, they could easily jump back up the ladder but with their record against the top 8, it could be difficult.

Ladder position: 12th

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