Port Adelaide Power

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.

Published by

Josh De Sa

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.

Esava Ratugolea

The Geelong defender has been linked with a move to South Australia for just about two years in a row now. His versatility would be a great asset to Ken Hinkley's side but more so as an intercept defender. His speed on the ball would greatly relieve Aliir Aliir from having to do most of the defensive brunt work.

Still without a contract despite speculation all year, if Geelong were keen on keeping him, it can be assumed that he would already have that situation sorted. Instead, the Cats have re-signed plenty of players this year, most notably Gryan Miers, however, Ratugolea remains without a deal.

The 25-year-old would slot perfectly in the Power's backline, especially considering the possible departure of skipper Tom Jonas. There's a high demand for key defenders this season, with Ratugolea topping the names on that list. Although not a free agent, meaning a trade would be required, Ratugolea could very well be on his way to South Australia.

Averaging a career-high in spoils, marks and disposals, Ratugolea has established himself as a genuine key defender who could possibly take the Power that one step further.

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.

Brodie Grundy

The talk of the town this season has been the Brodie Grundy situation. The ex-Magpies ruckman was at one time arguably the best ruckman in the entire competition. The raging arguments between 2017-2020 around Gawn vs Grundy were everywhere. At the end of 2022 when Grundy was traded to Melbourne, the idea of having arguably the two best ruckmen in the competition on the same side was exciting. In 2023, that excitement slowly dwindled down to a whimper.

As of Round 21 in 2023, Grundy has managed 16 games out of a possible 20, spending his last four weeks in the VFL. With his supposed position move to forward, he clearly doesn't fit the Melbourne system. Grundy is not a forward by any means, his best work came as a ruckman and he was extremely good at it. During his time at the Pies, he led that side and won plenty of games off his own boot from the ruck position.

If Port Adelaide can snag Grundy in some sort of trade deal with the Dees', it would greatly improve the side in an instant. Seeing as Grundy is a South Australian, that would surely be appealing to him also. The 29-year-old is nowhere near done in his footy career and if given the opportunity to be a ruckman again, he could take Port Adelaide a long way.

Matt Flynn

The GWS ruckman hasn't had much luck in the side in 2023. Managing only nine games, the 25-year-old could be looking for another opportunity to be a number-one ruckman. The Giants ruck has unfortunately been kept out of the side due to the emergence of Kieren Briggs. Briggs has been an absolute standout for GWS and it doesn't look like he's going anywhere anytime soon.

With Flynn still remaining out of contract, Port Adelaide would be a solid fit for him. In an ideal world, Port Adelaide would make a Grundy deal happen. However, Flynn as a backup plan wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. He'd be affordable and at only 25, has plenty of years left in his career.

Even Charlie Dixon has been left to play a solo ruckman on numerous occasions this season and it simply doesn't work. Although Dixon has the frame of a ruckman, he does not have the craft or tap work that is required. He isn't a ruckman and shouldn't be expected to play like one. Bringing in Flynn would allow Dixon to return to his full forward role where he's at his best.

A possibility for Port is to sign both Flynn and Grundy and have them work in tandem possibly. It would make for a very tall side but it could work similarly to what Collingwood has done for much of this season. The Cameron/Cox/McStay height trio has shown potential but the possibility for a Grundy/Flynn/Dixon combination could be very interesting.

MATTHEW FLYNN
Ruck

GWS

2023 SEASON AVG

28.3
Hitouts
1.7
Marks
11.8
Disposals

Trey Ruscoe

The Pies defender has only made one appearance in 2023, playing in this year's Anzac Day clash in a win against the Bombers back in Round 6. Despite playing relatively well in the victory, Ruscoe has not managed another game. The Collingwood back six is arguably the strongest aspect of the entire team. Despite being taller than every Pie defender apart from Moore and Murphy, Ruscoe simply can't break into the side.

A fast half-back whilst also being a solid one-on-one defender, Ruscoe could provide a mix of leg speed and defensive craft in the Port Adelaide backline. At 193cm, Ruscoe would be a great medium-sized defender who also knows how to kick a goal when needed. Who knows what sort of defensive talent Ruscoe could produce at AFL level, only time will tell.

Initially drafted as a forward to the Pies, Ruscoe could be used as a swingman of sorts, playing both positions where necessary during a game. The 21-year-old has been an important piece for the Pies in the VFL and could possibly be craving a taste of consistent AFL football.

Published by

Josh De Sa

1 year ago