Port Adelaide have many unanswered questions surrounding them leading into the 2015 AFL Season due to their young side finishing so highly last year. What has 2015 got in store for them?
Here are seven burning questions that need to be answered.
1. Which debutant will play the most games this year?
Karl Amon will play at least five games for the Power. Port Adelaide’s other debutant this season will be tall forward Mason Shaw. Port Adelaide will not have many debutants as many of their young players have bodies which are not AFL ready yet. Karl Amon impressed in the first NAB challenge game and all reports indicate he has been a stand out during the summer.
2. Where is Chad Wingard best suited – forward or midfield?
Statistics prove that Wingard’s output is most effective when he is in the middle. Wingard averaged 21 disposals in 2013 when he predominately played in the midfield, five more than last year. In 2014 and 2013 Wingard kicked 43 goals but had eleven more scoring shots last year.
Chad Wingard could sneak his way back into the All Australian team if he is more accurate in 2015. With the players he is surrounded by, it’s better for ‘The Chad’ to stay down forward.
3. Which player is the key for Port Adelaide to experience premiership success?
Paddy Ryder is obviously seen to be the missing piece for the Power, but there is one man who can make it a certainty.
If John Butcher has a breakout year and kicks 40 to 50 goals, the Power will be heading towards the flag. Butcher would create headaches for opposition coaches as he would become another danger alongside the likes of Jay Schulz, Justin Westhoff and Wingard. He is likely to play Round 1 due to his five-goal haul against Adelaide in NAB Challenge Game 3.
4. Do Port Adelaide have the depth to make them contenders?
Port Adelaide’s depth has been in question this pre-season. They lost form when Jackson Trengove and Alipate Carlile were struck down with injury during the second half of the 2014 season. Port Adelaide have an array of players who play in various positions to choose from in their SANFL side.
The problem is their youngsters have no AFL experience, therefore they are thrown into the deep end when the time comes for them to play for Power.
It is vital for Port Adelaide to retain a fit list. They can cover one or two players but they would not be able to contend if they experience the loss of players Hawthorn did last year.
5. Who plays where in a constantly rotating structure?
Top four sides in the modern day need to be versatile. Wingard should stay up front supporting the tall forwards. Ryder will play full forward with Schulz at centre half forward. This would allow Westhoff to roam as a high half forward or even through defence as an extra man when required.
Matt White creates a lot when he is on the wing but can be lethal on a flank in the forward line.
6. Who is in Port Adelaide’s best 22?
This is based on player form from last year and a fully fit list.
FF Neade Schulz Gray
HF Boak Westhoff Wingard
C Hartlett Cornes White
HB O’Shea Tregove Pittard
FB Hombsch Carlile Broadbent
Foll Lobbe Wines Ebert
INT: Jonas Polec Ryder Monfries
Emerg: Impey Shaw Moore
7. Will Port Adelaide win the Premiership?
Port Adelaide can win the premiership but this year will not be their year. I see Port Adelaide being runners up to Sydney.
Once Port Adelaide has enough depth, they will be primed to lift the cup. For Ken Hinkley’s men to win the premiership, they need to win at least the first five games and have a fit list for the whole year.
A 2015 grand final loss will push the Power to get their hands on the holy grail in 2016.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Have you not donated those tarps away to the local SES or perhaps homeless shelters yet Radelaide? Is it that because "you'll never share us your tarps, dun dun dun dunnnn"….
Radelaide
Guest
Yes he is just a scout but according to reports he is a serial pest (maybe Ballantyne's brother ;) ), also I think it was a closed session, they've been able to seal off Alberton oval... with the tarps.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Scout Radelaide, just a scout. I'm sure they'll be looking at everyone, but I imagine they'll be particularly interested in your fitness program. It was probably your number one weapon against the fellow top 6 sides last year I'd say. It was interesting they kicked out someone from an open session wasn't it?
Radelaide
Guest
Ross Lyon and his spies seems to agree.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Dwayne Russell eh? lol.
Radelaide
Guest
Already judging by pre season form they have taken on Port's "manic" pressure, Dwayne Russell said on radio yesterday said he had been speaking to Geelong people and their main concern was to try and do what Port are doing. The reason being is to copy Hawthorn you need 15 players on the field who can pinpoint a bullet pass from 40 or 50, Sydney you need a massive forward line with the comps standout forward, Freo and North are not taken seriously enough to be contenders so that leaves Port's sudden rise as a template that is achievable to copy.
MFairPlay
Roar Guru
Indeed. It will be interesting to see if similar fitness philosophies have been implemented at the Crows by Phil Walsh.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
I would of thought one of the most burningest of questions would be "Will they have the same fitness edge over the other sides in 2015?". Although I appreciate it's probably a difficult question to answer before the season starts.
Radelaide
Guest
If Young keeps the form up I would say he has taken the next step, with Butcher is he can play it's just his kicking that can become a liability when they do so much work to get it to him and he butcher's it (pardon the pun).
MFairPlay
Roar Guru
Young's preseason has probably put him above Moore. Butcher didn't get a spot due to his injuries last year and Shaw's consistent form in the SANFL.
MFairPlay
Roar Guru
A massive IF.
Katfish
Roar Guru
Big 'if' on Butcher. Even his 5 against Adelaide was very unconvincing. Can't see him kicking 30, let alone 50, goals this year
Radelaide
Guest
I would have Jonas in the starting line up before O'Shea every day of the week and Yong and Butcher before Moore and Shaw, although I get the feeling this could be Shaw's breakout year (fingers crossed).