Five trade targets for every AFL club: Port Adelaide

A key Cat, a pair of former Magpie teammates, a Giant ruckman and an out-of-favour Swan lead our trade targets for the Power.

Josh De Sa

STAFF WRITER | August 11, 2023 - 4:25pm

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Port Adelaide has been a dominant side for the majority of the 2023 season, perhaps only bested by Collingwood.

Ken Hinkley took his team on a 13-game unbeaten run which set the tone for the season. Playing fast footy with stars all over the field, everything looks set for a deep finals run for the Power.

With that being said, there are definitely weaknesses that could be possibly fixed in the 2023 off-season. Defensively, the side is quite undersized and relies heavily on tall defenders Aliir Aliir and Trent McKenzie. With the possible departure of Tom Jonas or Tom Clurey at the end of the season, the need for another key defender is there.

Along with defenders is the need for a ruckman, something the side has been crying out for all year long. With Scott Lycett's inconsistency with battling form and injury, a ruckman would resolve a lot of their problems.

Here are the five players that we believe Port Adelaide should target.

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2. Will Gould

After making his debut in Round 5 this season, 22-year-old Swan Will Gould has been unable to find a consistent spot in the side. Having only managed four games so far in 2023, the key defender looks unlikely to break back into the Sydney team.

Gould would most likely only be a last-minute solution for the Power, however, it'd be smart from the club to ensure he's available come the last few days of the trade period. If Ratugolea is not signed, Gould would be a decent replacement and could develop into a solid key defender.

Throughout the year in the VFL, Gould has even been swung forward and booted a handful of goals. His versatility would be useful for the side as he can be played both down back and up forward to take the pressure off whichever department needs it.

Having only played four games at AFL level, there isn't much to go off. His debut game against Richmond back in Round 5 took place during the 'Gather Round' as the sub. He managed nine touches and a single mark in a 44-point win. Standing at 192cm, the Swan could be a handy additional asset to the club regardless of the Ratugolea situation. As a player to have as a backup, Gould shouldn't be overlooked.