Port Adelaide has a strong chance to be without tall forward Todd Marshall for the entire 2025 season, with a ruptured Achilles placing the Power attacker on the sidelines for an extended period.
The South Australian club will need to assess and settle on new plans for the upcoming campaign in the wake of Marshall's setback, with the Power home to a handful of fringe forwards who could fill the void.
With a list vacancy giving them a chance to add to their squad via the Supplemental Selection Period, Port Adelaide could also look to replace Marshall with a name outside of the AFL.
Here we assess five names who could step into a forward role for the Power this year to feature alongside Mitch Georgiades and Jack Lukosius in attack.
The leading and most likely name to slot into Marshall's role to start the 2025 season, with the Power hoping for a breakout year from their emerging tall forward.
Lord was limited to just six senior appearances last year after finishing 2023 on a high, with a clean run at AFL action exactly what's needed for the 23-year-old.
Internally, there is an expectation that Lord is ripe for a spot alongside the likes of Mitch Georgiades and Jack Lukosius.
"Someone like an Ollie Lord is really ready to want to grab that opportunity in front of him," Power high-performance boss Stuart Graham said this week.
"But there is contingency in the list (to cover for Marshall), and those guys are going to go harder at it. We've proactively got a little bit more size into (Lord) and changed his muscle mass and increased that.
"Ollie Lord's the one that's made a shift and he's hungry for it. His running engine is slightly different to a George (Mitch Georgiades) and a Lukosius, in that he's better suited to more a contest, battles, work-rate type forward.”
The forgotten man in this conversation, with Finlayson an incumbent for Ken Hinkley before a laceration to his spleen ended his 2024 campaign.
Finlayson has proven to be a versatile forward option for Port Adelaide, with his ability to pinch-hit in the ruck strengthening his selection case also.
His form in the second half of last year uncovered some cause for concern, with the veteran sharpshooter managing just three goals in his last seven matches.
A starting role won't be assumed for Finlayson, who could have competition from swingman Esava Ratugolea, who found himself in the front third to end his first season at Alberton.
Ratugolea couldn't contribute to the goalkickers column in his last six games of the season however and found the ball more than 10 times in just one of those matches.
His experience as a forward - having been utilised in the role by Geelong previously - might be what gives him an edge over others in the mix, but expect Finlayson to be higher in the pecking order.
A look at names outside of the AFL, Gollant is one of the better-rated tall forwards who left the league over the off-season.
The 23-year-old was cut by the Crows after just 16 games in four seasons, struggling to break into a potent attack that consisted of Taylor Walker, Darcy Fogarty and Riley Thilthorpe.
His form at the SANFL level suggested there is plenty to work with, as Gollant recorded 71 goals from 29 games in the state league over the past two seasons to lead Adelaide's goalkicking in both campaigns.
The athletic forward has since moved back to Victoria for the 2025 season, linking up with Williamstown to continue his career.
The Seagulls are also home to former Gold Coast forward Brodie McLaughlin, who is another name worthy of consideration by the Power.
The former Hawthorn forward has rekindled his best form in recent years after returning to Norwood.
The 2021 Mid-Season Draft selection managed just the three AFL games during his time with the Hawks, required to play in the ruck during his short time in the top flight.
His return to The Parade has been fruitful, with Callow kicking 31 goals from 17 games to help spearhead a dominant Norwood outfit in 2024.
The 22-year-old could be ready for a second chance at AFL level and has experience on his side despite being in the early years of his career.
Other names in the SANFL for the Power to consider are former AFL-listed Glenelg stars Lachie Hosie and Liam McBean - should the club seek a ready-made replacement, while Woodville-West Torrens youngster Patrick Weckert is another with high upside.
The Power would have to get aggressive if they see McMahon as a player of interest, with the former Collingwood tall already pushing for a list spot with Carlton.
McMahon looks ready to step back into the top flight after several seasons back in the VFL.
He was one of the best performers outside of the AFL last year, booting 45 goals from 16 games - kicking multiple goals in every appearance he made for the Blues' VFL side in 2024.
His dominant season has placed him back on the radar of AFL clubs, with Carlton considering the 22-year-old with one of their own open list spots.
A play for McMahon by the Power would have to persuade the tall forward to prefer his chances in South Australia rather than Princes Park.