Port Adelaide's aggressive off-season to date has left them with little wiggle room for the 2023 AFL Draft, with the South Australian club set to carry just one selection into the November intake.
The acquisitions of Esava Ratugolea, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Jordon Sweet and Ivan Soldo have left the Power without a pick until the fourth round of the draft, while they also parted with their opening selection for the 2024 count.
Through list promotions, the club will be able to come away from the National Draft with just the one new recruit, with Ken Hinkley's list viewed to be in a 'win now' window and not needing a suite of teenagers to aid their cause.
Their sole selection will also improve its place in the pecking order by the time Port Adelaide gets their first - and only - look at this year's class, with certain list needs still needing to be filled through their one draft selection.
Below we preview the Power's potential draft plans and the players they could look to target with their only draft selection.
Draft Hand
Picks:ย 73
Port Adelaide's busy trade period has seen them left with no selections until midway through the fourth round of November's draft.
While clubs are required to take three selections at the National Draft, that tally can be lowered by rookie-listed players being promoted to the primary list instead. That could mean the Power promotes young pair Jed McEntee and Dylan Williams for 2024.
The Power was the last club to use the 73rd overall pick in a National Draft - taking Riley Grundy in 2018. The two years prior both North Melbourne and Fremantle were successful with that same selection, taking Nick Larkey and Sam Switkowski respectively.
Pick 73 has also seen premiership players Beau McDonald, Leigh Brown and Matt Spangher land on an AFL list, while the likes of Shane Tuck and Ryan Houlihan were also selected with the same pick.
The selection is likely to increase its place in the queue as early as the mid-50s given the number of Academy and father-son bids that might precede it, while clubs may begin to pass on selections before the Power get their first look at the available pool of players.
List Needs
Forward Targets:ย At first glance, the Power may seem rich in the key forward department, but a deeper look may uncover a need for list manager Jason Cripps to consider. Home to veteran Charlie Dixon, the Power would view the likes of Todd Marshall, Mitch Georgiades and Ollie Lord as their long-term options. 2024 could be Dixon's last in the league before he calls time on his career, while fellow tall attacker Jeremy Finlayson will be 28 to start next year and viewed as no certain starter. Both Marshall and Lord are unsigned beyond 2024 and are likely to be of interest to clubs from their home state of Victoria. Port Adelaide managed to re-sign Georgiades on a new deal for the coming years, however, the promising forward was spending time in the SANFL before a season-ending ACL injury. Selecting a tall forward that would be given the time to develop in strength and size might be an avenue Cripps takes this November.
Ground-Level Threats:ย Remaining in the forward third, a further small forward in Port Adelaide's stocks might be another void the club could fill. Sam Powell-Pepper proved to be a leading name among Ken Hinkley's crumbers, while Willie Rioli showed why the club made a move for his services a year ago - although he was unreliable at times due to suspension matters. Jed McEntee showed glimpses and Darcy Byrne-Jones looked useful in a new role up front, but the depth behind some makeshift forwards isn't there.
Potential Targets
Riley Weatherill: The big-bodied 197cm tall forward led the Talent League goalkicking this year given he was required in just one game for Vic Metro - where he kicked a goal from 11 disposals. For the Eastern Ranges, Weatherill flexed his strength and marking abilities as a spearhead to notch up a return of 37 goals from 15 games. Is a chance to still be on offer to the Power when they're first on the clock. Another name that might be in consideration is East Perth tall forward Xavier Walsh.
Jack Callinan:ย The Tasmanian small forward is the son of ex-Crows goalsneak and Jack Oatey medallist Ian Callinan and would be right at home at Alberton. The 179cm livewire booted 23 goals for the Devils this year and would enjoy a three-goal outing against Western Australia as part of the Allies' premiership-winning carnival. His craftwork inside the attacking 50 and ability to mount pressure on the opposition will have Callinan in the conversation toward the back end of the draft where Port Adelaide might be ready to pounce. Geelong Falcons and Vic Country attacker Tom Anastasopoulos could also be of interest to the Power if they're seeking a small forward late into the draft.
