Port Adelaide pose as an intriguing watch as the proud club failed to capitalise on another top-four finish, falling at the penultimate weekend.

Power coach Ken Hinkley was consistently ridiculed throughout the 2024 campaign, but despite his doubters, he still managed to get his side to a second-place finish.

However, the club lost two-time All-Australian defender Dan Houston to Collingwood and veteran forward Charlie Dixon to retirement, so there'll no doubt be some magnet moving.

A part of the host of changes will be former Gold Coast utility Jack Lukosius, who reunites with great mate and Port Adelaide captain Connor Rozee.

The Power also bolstered their small forward stocks, picking up Joe Richards from Collingwood and Joe Berry with Pick 15 in the draft.

But how will Hinkley fit them all in?

It's a tricky selection call across all three lines of the field, so we've assessed Port Adelaide's squad ahead of the 2025 season and determined the best 23-man side for a healthy Power team.

Our Best 23 for 2025 series will include players unavailable for the start of the season, except for those expected to miss most or all of the season through injury or suspension.

Defenders

In 2024, Port Adelaide was one of the best defensive teams in the competition, playing a territory game that allowed their backline to set up.

Headed by Aliir Aliir, Hinkley's back six is littered with talent and versatility, with all boasting an ability to play both on small and tall forwards.

Following the departure of Houston, Miles Bergman becomes a focal point of this backline, utilising his strong intercept capacity and offensive traits to drive the ball down the other end.

Hinkley wouldn't be opposed to consistently switching players through the rearguard, with Kane Farrell, Darcy Byrne-Jones and Jase Burgoyne all more than capable of playing behind the ball.

Midfielders

The Power's midfield cohort is quickly laying claims as one of the best in the competition, boasting the likes of Connor Rozee, Zak Butters and Jason Horne-Francis, with a supporting cast of Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines and selfless role player Willem Drew.

The three-pronged attack has worked but Hinkley realised throughout 2024 that variety is key, especially when most of his midfielders are more attacking than defensive.

The ruck battle between Jordon Sweet and Ivan Soldo has been won by the former, of late, but there's no suggestion that the ex-Tiger couldn't wrestle it back in his favour.

As for the secondary ruck, Jeremy Finlayson should get the first nod, given his versatility to play as a rangy forward while Esava Ratugolea was used in the position late in the year.

Burgoyne and Farrell will hold both wing positions but, as mentioned, can be swapped through other areas of the ground.

Veteran Travis Boak still gets a nod ahead of his younger teammates as the sub, and will likely play across the wing and half-forward line when brought onto the field.

Forwards

On paper, it is an exciting forward set-up.

Dixon's retirement has opened the door to a new era at Alberton, which Mitch Georgiades is ready to lead.

Todd Marshall and Jack Lukosius will play as the supporting acts, albeit potential stars of the competition, so the opposition must be wary.

The Power also identified a need to reset their small forward mix, bringing in Richards and Berry to add to the impressive Willie Rioli and Sam Powell-Pepper line-up.

But as Hinkley did for most of 2024, he'll swing a dangerous midfielder deep into the forward line, namely Horne-Francis, although the captain is more than capable of playing one-out in the goal square.

Best 23

FB: Ryan Burton, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Lachlan Jones

HB: Miles Bergman, Aliir Aliir, Logan Evans

C: Jase Burgoyne, Willem Drew, Kane Farrell

HF: Jason Horne-Francis, Todd Marshall, Joe Richards

FF: Willie Rioli, Jack Lukosius, Mitch Georgiades

FO: Jordan Sweet, Zak Butters, Connor Rozee

I/C: Darcy Byrne-Jones, Sam Powell-Pepper, Ollie Wines, Jeremy Finlayson

SUB: Travis Boak

Others to consider:ย Jackson Mead, Ivan Soldo, Ollie Lord, Josh Sinn, Joe Berry, Jed McEntee, Esava Ratugolea