Questions to ponder ahead of Round 3: Can the Pies be re-heated, Are Port the real deal, Can Jezza's form last for the Cats?
Collingwood look far off the conquering team of 2023 and one aspect of real concern is their struggles in defence.
Port Adelaide have finally run out of patience with former top-10 draft pick John Butcher, who is one of three players delisted by the AFL club.
The Power also confirmed on Tuesday that former Geelong champion Garry Hocking would leave Ken Hinkley’s coaching panel after seven years at Alberton.
Port held high hopes for Butcher when they selected him eighth overall at the 2009 draft, but the key forward never managed more than eight games a season.
He played 31 games, just three of those this year, and was delisted along with Kane Mitchell and Sam Colquhoun.
“It’s a difficult time of year when the club needs to make decisions for its short and long-term future regarding our football structure,” Port Adelaide’s football chief Chris Davies said.
“John, Kane and Sam have given great service to our club and we wish them all the best with their futures.
“Garry’s tenure at the club has been the most significant of our coaching panel. We thank him for his work since 2010 as a development, line coach and Magpies coach for two seasons.”
Former coaching director Shaun Hart has been assigned to the new role of director of academies, and will oversee Port Adelaide’s next-generation academy programs.
The Power also confirmed first-year strength and conditioning coach Mladen Jovanovic has returned to Serbia for family reasons.
In injury news, key defender Logan Austin has undergone surgery after fracturing his ankle against Gold Coast on Saturday.
Austin, who played 11 games in his debut AFL season for the Power, is expected to resume running in six weeks, while Cam O’Shea will be out for a month after having hip surgery.
Forward Chad Wingard (finger), Jack Hombsch (hip), Dougal Howard (ACL) and Alipate Carlile (PCL) are also recovering from injuries, and all but Howard are expected to resume full training when Port Adelaide return in November.
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Collingwood look far off the conquering team of 2023 and one aspect of real concern is their struggles in defence.
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