Never Tear Us Apart: The 2024 Port Adelaide Power Guide

The young guns of Port Adelaide were flexing all season long, but now they’re left scratching their heads about some underperforming old-timers. It’s like having a killer party, but the DJ suddenly decides to play a slow jam. Grade for the season? Let’s give them a solid B-.

So, did Port Adelaide play their cards right or fold too soon? Well, they went from the bottom of the deck in eleventh place last season to a respectable third this time around. But hold the confetti – the fairy-tale comeback turned into a horror story in the finals. Fans are left with a bitter taste, especially after locking in coach Ken Hinkley for two more years. The hype train derailed, and now the club is left with a bag full of tough questions for the 2024 season. Make sure you bookmark our dedicated Port Power 2024 tickets page so you can get easy access to all of the action.

Let’s dissect what worked

A midfield shake-up with Zak Butters leading the charge was the secret. Young guns like Connor Rozee and the fresh-face Jason Horne-Francis added spice to the mix. But, hey, even a winning recipe can taste a bit bland when you rely too much on the spice trio. Experience and leadership? Butters and Rozee got it covered.

Where did it all go wrong? 

The young midfield brigade took a siesta during the finals, leaving the rest of the team stranded. Age caught up with pillars like Scott Lycett and Trent McKenzie, and even Charlie Dixon seemed like he misplaced his mojo. Ollie Wines, the Brownlow medallist, joined the struggle bus too. Coach Hinkley’s got a puzzle on his hands – how to light a fire under both the rookies and the seasoned players. Plus, Travis Boak’s contract saga is turning into a soap opera.

The MVP – Zak Butters

This dude was untouchable in the midfield, bagging the AFLCA’s Champion Player of the Year. Despite being built like a marathon runner, the 23-year-old owned the contested possessions and ranked high in clearances and score involvements. Midfield buddy Rozee and solid defender Dan Houston also deserve their moment in the spotlight with All-Australian blazers.

2024 is a make-or-break year for Port Adelaide

Port have recruited some new blood to bolster their defence. Brandon Zerk-Thatcher from Essendon and Esava Ratugolea from Geelong are here to turn the Power’s defence into a fortress. Last season’s defensive struggles are fresh in everyone’s minds, so it’s a bit like Port Adelaide went shopping for some tall security guards.

But it’s not just the backline that’s had a makeover. Ivan Soldo from Richmond and Jordon Sweet from the Dogs have been added to the ruck division. Last season’s ruck headaches, especially when Scott Lycett was out, are still haunting memories. Now, with some fresh legs and bodies in the mix, the Power are hoping to avoid a repeat performance.

And let’s not forget the perpetual hot seat occupant, coach Ken Hinkley. Despite a bumpy exit from the finals, he’s been given a two-year extension. It’s like a coaching rollercoaster – you’re in for the ride, whether you like it or not.

The ageless wonder, Travis Boak

This man’s got one more year in him, and he’s not going quietly. After a lacklustre 2023, he’s hitting the gym, leading the young guns overseas for some fitness adventures, and getting ready for a redemption arc. If anyone can defy the age odds, it’s Boak.

It’s not all about the old guard, however. The Power’s young talent is a force to be reckoned with. Captain about to turn 24, vice-captain even younger, and a midfield bull at the ripe age of 20. The Power are building a footy dynasty, and the veterans better keep up.

Now, for the burning questions. Is the ruck problem sorted with Soldo and Sweet? Can Mitch Georgiades bounce back after a knee injury, or should we all be patient and let him find his feet? Todd Marshall, the forward linchpin, is at a crossroads – can he become the go-to guy? Can the defensive trio of Aliir Aliir, Esava Ratugolea, and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher create an impenetrable wall?

And, of course, the big question mark – can Travis Boak turn back the clock and prove the naysayers wrong?

It’s the season of anticipation. Will Port Adelaide unleash a powerhouse performance or be left pondering what could have been? One thing’s for sure: 2024 is shaping up to be a wild ride for the Power. 

Port Adelaide Power’s hard reality check from Collingwood

A Port Power thumping by Collingwood took place at the MCG. It was a tough pill to swallow as they faced one of their harshest setbacks of the season, with the Pies running rampant after quarter time.

Coach Ken Hinkley didn’t mince his words post-match, expressing disappointment in the missed opportunity and highlighting concerns about the performance of their midfield in the past couple of weeks. Despite boasting promising young talents like Connor Rozee, Zak Butters, and Jason Horne-Francis, the midfield hasn’t quite hit the mark recently.

Hinkley acknowledged Collingwood’s dominance in contested possessions and their relentless aggression, admitting that the Power were unable to match their intensity and consistency. It was a wake-up call for the team, highlighting a gap they still need to bridge to compete at the highest level consistently.

While there were some injury worries late in the game, including concerns about Horne-Francis’s hamstring, Hinkley reassured fans that it was likely just a cramp. However, teammate Lachie Jones will undergo scans for a suspected hamstring injury, adding to the team’s concerns.

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley’s future

So far, Hinkley has made it clear that he’s not putting an expiration date on his tenure at Alberton. Despite ongoing speculation surrounding potential coaching succession plans, Hinkley remains committed to the Power, stating that he will coach for as long as he possibly can.

Last season, Hinkley faced scrutiny over his future before ultimately recommitting to the club until the end of 2025. Now, with further dialogue surrounding potential successors, including assistant coach Josh Carr, Hinkley finds himself once again at the centre of speculation.

However, Port Adelaide chairman David Koch has emphasised the club’s preference for internal promotions and coaching development. While Carr’s credentials and potential have sparked interest, there’s been no confirmation of any succession plan from the board.

Addressing the ongoing conjecture, Hinkley reaffirmed his commitment to the club and his role as senior coach. With a contract extending for the next couple of years, he’s focused on doing his best in the present and not worrying about an end date.

As the longest-serving coach in VFL/AFL history not to reach a grand final, Hinkley’s tenure has been marked by both success and scrutiny. Despite this, he boasts an impressive win rate and remains determined to lead the Power to further achievements.

With Hinkley’s track record and dedication to the club, Port Adelaide fans can expect him to continue giving his all for as long as he’s in the coaching box. And who knows? Perhaps his legacy at Alberton will only grow stronger in the years to come.

Port Power’s dual ruck strategy

Port Adelaide assistant coach Chad Cornes isn’t ready to dismiss the idea of a dual-ruck strategy for the Power, despite its initial trial against Collingwood not yielding the desired results. In their recent game, Ivan Soldo and Jordon Sweet were paired up in the ruck, but neither managed to make a significant impact on the match.

Soldo, who has been performing well as a solo ruckman, and Sweet didn’t produce the desired output against Collingwood. Cornes acknowledged that their performance wasn’t up to par, but he emphasised that the Power wouldn’t abandon the two-ruck approach based on one game alone.

While Port Adelaide got off to a strong start against Collingwood, racing to a 31-point lead in the first quarter, they faltered as the game progressed, eventually suffering a 42-point defeat. Cornes acknowledged that the Power have struggled against top teams this season and emphasised the need to learn from these experiences and improve.

One area of concern for the Power has been their groundball game, which has been lacking in recent matches. Cornes highlighted the importance of addressing this issue, especially against stronger opponents, and mentioned that the coaching staff would work on structural adjustments to improve in this aspect.

Despite the disappointment of their recent loss, there’s some positive news for Port Adelaide on the injury front. Lachie Jones received positive results from his hamstring scan and could be available for the upcoming match against St Kilda. Additionally, Jason Horne-Francis and Miles Bergman are expected to be fit for the next game after suffering minor issues in the Collingwood match.

Footy season is back, so where do you get your Port Adelaide AFL 2024 Season tickets?

Queen of Tickets is the spot to grab your 2024 AFL season tickets so you can see the Power and their rivals battle it out for the big prize. Head to our dedicated AFL 2024 Season Tickets page and grab your spot for a big season of footy!