Port Adelaide are in line to make three selections in the opening two rounds of the 2024 AFL Draft following a busy player exchange window.
The Power will have access to a top 15 talent come the opening round of this year's count, with two further selections coming in the top 36.
There are some clear list needs at Alberton Oval, which can be addressed at the draft, while Port Adelaide have multiple father-son prospects available to them in 2024.
Here's how Port Adelaide's draft plans could unfold...
Draft Hand:
Picks: 13, 29, 36, 50
The Power will use up to four selections at the AFL Draft, with their first coming on the opening night of the count in the form of Pick 13 - acquired from Gold Coast in a deal that involved several players and other picks.
That selection will give them access to a promising talent right near the top end of this year's stacked pool, while Pick 29 - the sixth selection in the second round - should come at a junction where there's a slider or two from the first round.
Pick 36 could do the same, while Pick 50 might be used on a father-son selection. They could leave club-tied additions for the Rookie Draft, depending on list spots.
Without a first-round selection for 2025, the Power are unlikely to trade into this year's draft order.
List Needs:
Emerging Tall Forward:ย A key forward hasn't been a need at Port Adelaide for some time, but with Charlie Dixon's retirement, Jeremy Finlayson's age and injury woes and the uncertain future that surrounds Todd Marshall, the club may look into adding another to its pecking order. Jack Lukosius' arrival will help tremendously, but another young name to add some competition alongside Mitch Georgiades and Ollie Lord could be good. The Power will find themselves in a peculiar position though, with Pick 13 potentially a little and Pick 29 potentially a little late for the range of this year's best key forwards. That first selection is likely to slide back a few spots however, and it's likely to give Port Adelaide access to some of the leading tall attackers at the very least.
Front-Half Spark:ย A cunning half-forward who can support the Power's engine room might also be on the club's wish list, with the Power looking to sharpen their spear on top of the additions of the aforementioned Lukosius and Collingwood's Joe Richards. The latter is somewhat of an unknown quantity, having played just the nine games. With duo Quinton Narkle and Francis Evans exiting and making up 30 games in 2024, some depth in attack might be considered. The Power thrived with the likes of Rozee and Butters playing in attack a few years ago, with the young pair offering the needed rotations through the middle while exciting in the forward 50.
Defensive Depth:ย The loss of Dan Houston can't be understated, with the two-time All-Australian's departure opening up a sizeable in Ken Hinkley's rearguard. That void can't be filled by a draftee, but the likes of Kane Farrell, Jase Burgoyne and Logan Evans can certainly step up. With their roles gaining greater dependence, the changes do open up a spot in the selection queue for another medium-sized backman who can offer some two-way traits in defence. The Power may look to the National Draft to address this list need, while they have multiple father-sons tied to this year's intake that could do the job in the future.
Potential Targets:
Jonty Faull:ย One of the best key forwards on offer from this year's draft class, Faull had half a season this year to show his value and he didn't disappoint. Returning in Round 10 of the Talent League season, the strong-marking GWV Rebels forward kicked 16 goals in his first five games after dealing with a back injury in the opening half of the year. He would end his campaign with 27 majors, including nine across a two-week spell in the finals. A big-bodied tall forward who is also mobile, Faull could be a nice addition to Port Adelaide's front-half tandem and would be afforded the time to develop his craft before stepping up to the top level. Fellow Vic Country talent Jack Whitlock is another name for the Power to consider at Pick 13, or potentially Pick 29 if they're lucky, while local talls Charlie West and Charlie Nicholls are viable for their later picks.
Taj Hotton:ย The Power could roll the dice on Hotton at Pick 13, with the Sandringham Dragons midfield-forward in line to miss the first half of next season due to an ACL injury. Prior to his setback, Hotton put his name in contention as a potential top five draft pick with a stellar three-game spell in the Talent League. That run included a 32-disposal, four-goal outing against Oakleigh in March. His speed, X-factor, and damaging disposal as a potential half-forward threat would only grow stronger learning from the likes of Zak Butters, Connor Rozee and Jason Horne-Francis at Alberton. Dandenong Stingrays co-captain Cooper Hynes is another teen for the Power to consider with their opening selection.
Louie Montgomery:ย The son of 2004 premiership player Brett, Montgomery is tied to the Power as a potential father-son draft addition. The North Adelaide defender-midfielder hybrid has a good aerial presence while being 184cm tall, while he can also offer some run and physicality in the back half. Montgomery managed a pair of SANFL appearances this year for the Roosters, averaging 12.5 disposals, five marks and two rebound 50s per game. He could be picked up as a rookie following the national intake, while fellow father-son talent Rome Burgoyne - the son of club great Peter and brother to Jase - is another name in the mix to be picked up, with the young flanker also a defensive option to keep in mind.
