Season Preview: Port Adelaide

2020 Recap The Power were the revelation of the 2020 season. Ken Hinkley was out of contract at season's end, under pressure and he delivered a masterclass. The Power surged into premiership contention and did so playing some very attractive football. They won a final as well which was a massive tick and looked set for a Grand Final appearance before they were cut down at the penultimate hurdle by eventual premiers Richmond. [caption id="attachment_72561" align="alignnone" width="696"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 19: Robbie Gray of Port Adelaide celebrates kicking the match winning goal during the round 7 AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the Port Adelaide Power at The Gabba on July 19, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)[/caption] It was a very successful season but given the heartbreak that was their conclusion, you can't help but feel there is an element of "what if?" for the Power. Off-season moves Ins Aliir Aliir (Sydney), Orazio Fantasia (Essendon), Lachlan Jones (Draft), Ollie Lord (Draft), Tyson Goldsack (Collingwood). Outs Joe Atley (Delisted), Wylie Buzza (Delisted), Tobin Cox (Delisted), Riley Grundy (Delisted), Jack Watts (Retired), Brad Ebert (Retired), Cam Sutcliffe (Retired), Justin Westhoff (Retired), Jake Patmore (Delisted). Off-season Grade: B They finally landed Orazio Fantasia. It's a deal that was over 12 months in the works and they finally got their man. Fantasia has had a difficult few years mainly due to injury but a fresh start back home could be the tonic they need. [caption id="attachment_80607" align="alignnone" width="679"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 11: Tyson Goldsack, Port Adelaide Power looks on during a Port Adelaide Power AFL training session at Alberton Oval on October 11, 2020 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)[/caption] They lose Justin Westhoff to father time but replace him with Aliir Aliir, which looks like a very good piece of business. Aliir will be able to play both back and help out in the ruck when need-be. He is a definite upgrade and will play a key part in their push for premiership glory. Defining Period Rounds 3-6 looms as a big month for the Power for a few reasons. Firstly, they need to be able to beat the teams above them. Last year the Cats beat them by 10 goals and they lost to the Tigers from a winnable position in the preliminary final. They take on the Eagles away from home in round three and follow that up with a clash against the reigning premiers. If they can get at least one win from these two it'll set them up nicely for a fortnight against the Blues - who they only just beat last year, and the Saints, who they were embarrassed by in 2020. [caption id="attachment_28772" align="alignnone" width="696"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 13: Jack Ross of the Tigers tackled by Tom Rockliff of Port Adelaide during the round four AFL match between the Port Adelaide Power and the Richmond Tigers at Adelaide Oval on April 13, 2019 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)[/caption] If they lose in both round 3 and 4 the pressure will be on them against the Blues and Saints. Best 22 B: Tom Jonas, Tom Clurey, Trent McKenzie HB: Darcy Byrne-Jones, Aliir Aliir, Hamish Hartlett C: Karl Amon, Ollie Wines, Xavier Duursma HF: Zak Butters, Todd Marshall, Connor Rozee F: Robbie Gray, Charlie Dixon, Peter Ladhams FOLL: Scott Lycett, Travis Boak, Dan Houston I/C: Sam Powell-Pepper, Tom Rockliff, Ryan Burton, Orazio Fantasia [caption id="attachment_44983" align="alignnone" width="696"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 19: Travis Boak of the Power (second right) celebrates a goal with team mates during the round 7 AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the Port Adelaide Power at The Gabba on July 19, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Jono Searle/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)[/caption] Strengths and Weaknesses The strength for the Power sits in their small forwards and midfielders. The likes of Robbie Gray, Zak Butters, Connor Rozee and Orazio Fantasia will give defenders headaches all season. All these players are good around goal and can move up the ground and contribute with ball in hand as well as acting as pressure players. They have the ability to apply pressure until they win the ball back and then hit teams on the rebound with their speed and creativity. [caption id="attachment_31850" align="alignnone" width="620"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 26: Connor Rozee of the Power celebrates after kicking a goal with Zak Butters of the Power during the round 6 AFL match between Port Adelaide and North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval on April 26, 2019 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)[/caption] A clear weakness is their tall defenders. That's why they brought in Aliir. But he isn't exactly going to play on the big monsters and that's where the worry is for the Power. Tom Hawkins dominated them last season and they may be victim to a similar fate throughout 2021. Prediction 4th Hard to see the Power falling out of the top 4, especially given the home ground advantage they posses. They will be very hard to topple at Adelaide Oval and that will see them slip into the 4. [caption id="attachment_36011" align="alignnone" width="696"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 09: Ollie Wines of the Power celebrates a goal during the round 16 AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Port Adelaide Power at Domain Stadium on July 9, 2017 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)[/caption] Just how far they go once they get there is anybody's guess, but they're a genuine contender.

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	BL	5	5	0	20	120
2	GC	4	4	0	16	168.3
3	HAW	4	4	0	16	127.4
4	COLL	5	4	1	16	127.1
5	GWS	4	3	1	12	149
6	GEEL	5	3	2	12	131.3
7	ADEL	5	3	2	12	130.4
8	STK	4	3	1	12	112.3

Season Preview: Port Adelaide

Can the Power avenge last years heartbreak?⚡️

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