Squad Breakdown: Port Adelaide Power 2023 SC analysis

With Ken Hinkley’s career hanging on by a very thin thread, is this his final chance to take the Power back to the finals?

They have ageing players spread out across all three lines, but their star-studded youth is beginning to rise to the top.

Securing the signature of Jason Horne-Francis is big, but I imagine most of the hype this season will come from Connor Rozee’s injection into the middle.

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Team

FB: Tom Clurey, Tom Jonas, Darcy Byrne-Jones

HB: Ryan Burton, Aliir Aliir, Dan Houston

C: Kane Farrell, Ollie Wines, Zac Butters

HF: Travis Boak, Charlie Dixon, Sam Powell-Pepper

FF: Junior Rioli, Todd Marshall, Mitch Georgiades

FOL: Scott Lycett, Connor Rozee, Jason Horne-Francis

INT: Jeremy Finlayson, Miles Bergman, Orazio Fantasia, Willem Drew

Sub: Lachie Jones

EMG: Trent Mackenzie, Riley Bonner, Jase Burgoyne

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List Changes

Ins: Nathan Barkla (category B rookie), Francis Evans (delisted free agent, Geelong), Jason Horne-Francis (trade, North Melbourne), Kyle Marshall (No.59 draft pick), Tom McCallum (No.36 draft pick), Junior Rioli (trade, West Coast), Thomas Scully (No.53, draft pick)

Outs: Karl Amon (free agent, Hawthorn), Martin Frederick (delisted), Robbie Gray (retired), Sam Mayes (delisted), Steven Motlop (retired), Taj Schofield (delisted), Sam Skinner (delisted)

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Lock & Load

Connor Rozee (MID/FWD, $513,800)

Was this really going to be anyone else?

I’ve been tossing and turning whether to pick Connor Rozee in my side for a while now, but after seeing him tally 20 out of a possible 25 CBA’s, it’s going to be hard leaving him out.

I have some doubts over his consistency, but perhaps those doubts linger because he’s never had a full-time midfield role. However, that will change this year.

In his last 10 games of 2022 (where he his CBA’s reached a career high), Rozee scored 90+ on eight occasions.

If you’re looking for a cash grab, he’s a great alternative to Stephen Coniglio who is $50k more expensive.

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Mid-Pricer

Jason Horne-Francis (MID/FWD, $348,800)

Alongside Rozee in the midfield was JHF, who attended 16 out of 25 CB’s.

He was one of the most highly anticipated products in his draft class but endured a debut season to forget (partly because of his massive ego).

I imagine it was partly due to his lack of major midfield minutes in a terrible North Melbourne team, but early signs are pointing to a massive uptick in CBAs for the Power.

He collected 21 touches against the Dockers but gave away a whopping six free kicks which limited him to just 70 SuperCoach points.

If he fixes up his discipline, an average of 85+ is definitely achievable.

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Cheapie

Josh Sinn (MID/FWD, $123,900)

Sinn is one to monitor throughout the season as I doubt he plays the first few rounds coming in off an injury.

Ken Hinkley has already expressed that there’s a spot on the wing up for grabs, so expect to see Sinn play at some point this year.

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Avoid

Scott Lycett (RUC, $429,900)

Hopefully people have cooled off on him since he stunk it up in the practice matches, but if not, heed my words!

To be completely honest, I’m not really sure what the attraction toward him was in the first place.

Yes, he is marginally under-priced, but he has only averaged over 100 once in his career.

Anyway, that was all my thinking BEFORE he started playing intra-clubs and practice matches; in particular, it was my thinking before Brynn Teakle took over as the number one ruck.

Lycett did manage to claw his way back to numero uno for his praccy against the Dockers, but a score of 36 in 60% game time really isn’t anything to fangirl over.

It’s a no from me, Dawg