Port Adelaide 2023 AFL Preview & Predictions

<p>It was a case of too little, too late for Port Adelaide last season. After entering the 2022 campaign as one of the favourites for the flag, they got off to the worst possible start, losing their opening five games in a row.</p> <p>This start effectively quashed any premiership hopes the Power might have had. They did manage to find some form in the second half of the season, but the damage was already done and finals footy had passed them by.</p> <p>This season presents a clean slate and new set of challenges for Port Adelaide who will be looking to get their title aspirations back on track.</p> <p>Can the Power get off to a fast start this time around and maintain the rage for the entire season?</p> <p>Or is another year of ups and downs on the cards for Ken Hinkley and his men?</p> <p>For all the latest and greatest Port Adelaide tips and predictions, read our season preview of the club below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Gains</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Nathan Barkla (Category B rookie)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Francis Evans (Geelong Cats)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Jason Horne-Francis (North Melbourne)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Kyle Marshall (No.59 draft pick)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Tom McCallum (No.36 draft pick)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Junior Rioli (West Coast Eagles)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Thomas Scully (No.53 draft pick)</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Power have made two key additions to their attacking stocks ahead of the new season.</p> <p>Pocket rocket forward Junior Rioli has joined from the West Coast Eagles with a healthy strike-rate in front of goal.</p> <p>Joining him is midfielder Jason Horne-Francis who departs North Melbourne after just one season in the topflight (can you blame him?).</p> <p>This makes him only the second No.1 draft pick in history to request a trade after just one season.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Losses</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><em>Karl Amon (Hawthorn)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Martin Frederick (Delisted)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Robbie Gray (Retired)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Sam Mayes (Delisted)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Steven Motlop (Retired)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Taj Schofield (Delisted)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Sam Skinner (Delisted)</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>There is one loss from Port Adelaide’s list that overshadows all the rest.</p> <p>That loss is the retirement of club legend Robbie Gray. The specialist forward decided to hang up the boots at the end of last season after 15 years at the Power.</p> <p>Gray’s involvement last year was limited due to a niggling knee injury and ultimately led to the 34-year-old making the tough decision to call time on his career.</p> <p>Twice the leading goalkicker at the club and a four time All-Australian who played over 250 games in the AFL, Robbie Gray retires as one of the greatest players in Port Adelaide’s history.</p>

<h3>Player To Watch</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><em>Zak Butters</em></strong></p> <p>Coming off the back of his best ever season, hard working midfielder Zak Butters is sure to be one of the key cogs in Port Adelaide’s set up this season.</p> <p>He increased his numbers across the board last year, averaging 22.2 disposals, 3.8 tackles and 3.7 clearances per game.</p> <p>Since debuting in 2019, Butters has become a fan favourite thanks to his tenacious attitude and his silky skills with the ball in hand.</p> <p>If the Power are to get back on track and return to the promised land of finals footy, up and coming stars like Zak Butters will be a large part of the reason why.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Port Adelaide Season Prediction</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Predicted finish: 8th</em></p> <p>While they finished eight points off a finals spot last season, Port Adelaide were not as ordinary as their ladder position may suggest.</p> <p>The Power lost seven games last season by two goals or less. If they can flip these fine margins in their favour this season, it will see them skyrocket up the standing and right into finals contention.</p> <p>Another thing that will be a top priority for the club and its players will be a clean bill of health across the board.</p> <p>Port Adelaide lost far too many key players to injury last season and it ultimately cost them big time.</p> <p>If they can get everyone fit and firing there is no reason why they can’t return to the finals in 2023.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Port Adelaide’s Best 22</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>B:</strong> Tom Jonas, Tom Clurey, Darcy Byrne-Jones&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>HB:</strong> Dan Houston, Aliir Aliir, Ryan Burton&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>C:</strong> Xavier Duursma, Ollie Wines, Kane Farrell&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>HF:</strong> Travis Boak, Todd Marshall, Jason Horne-Francis&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <p><strong>F:</strong> Junior Rioli, Charlie Dixon, Mitch Georgiades</p> <p><strong>Foll:</strong> Scott Lycett, Connor Rozee, Zak Butters&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>I/C:</strong> Jeremy Finlayson, Sam Powell-Pepper, Miles Bergman, Lachie Jones &nbsp;<strong> &nbsp; &nbsp;</strong></p>