According to most punters, Port Adelaide were going to finish in the bottom four in 2013. Instead, they finished fifth and announced themselves as a team to watch in the future.
The Power still has the third-youngest list in the AFL and will be looking to open their account against Carlton in Round 1.
As an exciting, but yet close season approaches, we take a look at the young Power stars to watch.
Chad Wingard
Wingard was one of the break-out players for 2013. He went from having a solid year for a first year, to being one of the most unstoppable forwards in the whole comp.
The 20-year-old kicked 43 goals last season, compared with just nine from 2012. He also had three times as many kicks and more than double disposals.
This earned him an All-Australian guernsey alongside captain Travis Boak. He was also the surprise winner of the John Cahill medal as the Power’s best and fairest player.
Wingard is an incredibly talented player and may look to spend more time in the midfield.
Opposition coaches will look to curb the influence of Wingard and he may find himself on the receiving end of some of the comps best taggers. This may see his fantasy points go down, as he learns the craft of palying in the midfield.
Whatever the case, Wingard is a great young kid with an exciting future at the club.
Hamish Hartlett
Most AFL players will look to pass when they are 65 metres out from goal. Not Hamish Hartlett. He has one of the most potent kicks in the comp. Last year he scored some important goals for the Power from outside the arc.
The team has identified him as one of the players to watch. After another solid pre-season, Harlett will want to spend more time playing with Boak in the centre square.
A former first round draft pick, Adelaide-born Harlett is one of the Power’s most important figures. He is a member of the leadership ground and was an important player in the Power’s impressive start to 2013.
However his form did dip a bit as the Power came crashing down to earth in the second month of 2013.
If he stays injury free and becomes a consistent user of the ball, he should help the Power to another top eight finish.
Jarman Impey
Lock him into your fantasy teams, because Jarman Impey is looking more likely to play in Round 1.
Impey was the Power’s first choice in last year’s draft, taken at pick 21.
Impey was brilliant during last week’s clash against the Saints. He applied tough defensive pressure and could be an important figure in the side’s half-back line.
Along with the solid presence of Jackson Trengove, Alipate Carlile and Tom Jonas, Impey should slot strait into the young, but improving backline.
The Power have a host of younsters including Tom Clurey who could debut back there, but Impey’s pre-season form and pressure should see him slotted into the Round 1 side against Carlton on Sunday afternoon.
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