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Port Adelaide players of the year and season review

22nd September, 2016
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Hamish Hartlett's year may be over. (AAP Image/Ben MacMahon)
Roar Guru
22nd September, 2016
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For Port Adelaide, the 2016 campaign was largely a disappointment after they treaded water last year. Two disappointing losses to Carlton and Fremantle showed their inconsistency and lack of competitiveness at times.

The absence of their two best ruckmen didn’t help but Jackson Trengove was serviceable considering the circumstances. Other standout players were Robbie Gray, Jasper Pittard and Ollie Wines

Robbie Gray
The evergreen on baller displayed his skills once again in 2016. While it may not have been his best tenure, his continuity has been excellent.

His goal-kicking ability has been helpful for his team when his services are required up forward.

In saying that, his creative flare as a midfielder is where he does his best work. He leads Port Adelaide in score involvements, with a more-than-substantial eight per game.

He has improved metres gained, disposals, rebound and inside 50s and tackles from previous years even though he hasn’t quite appeared to have been as dominant.

Jasper Pittard
His best year yet was capped off with a maiden All-Australian squad selection, the only Power player to do so. His speed and footwork off half back has looked as complete as ever this season.

The defender leads his club for intercept possessions, rebound 50s and metres gained (4th in AFL). Pittard also leads his club for kicks averaging 15 per game, many of them clearing kicks, exactly what you want from any defender.

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He has looked like the most solid and able defender at the power this season in what has certainly been a breakthrough year.

Ollie Wines
You’d be forgiven for forgetting the big-bodied defender is just 21. He seems to have played a big part for Port Adelaide in the last few years, his prominence shining through brightly this season.

His clean ball skills coupled with his pressure and tackle breaking mean he should be considered as one of the elite in the AFL. Champion data lists him as the 50th best player in the AFL but it seems he should be higher.

Either way, he should go up the order soon. Leads his club for a profusion of stats that include contested possessions (13.7), clearances (6.2), tackles (5.8) and fantasy points with 100.6 per game. He also leads his club for disposals averaging a splendid 26 per game but his substandard disposal efficiency of 59 per cent is one of the worst in the AFL and something he needs to improve on.

The Power, after showing such promise in 2014 and early in 2015, have been on a gradual downward slide. At times in 2016 they showed such promise but have been unable to sustain it for whole matches, let alone any number of weeks.

They shouldn’t slump any further down the ladder but with their WADA banned players coming back in as well as another pre-season into the young players, top eight should still be on the cards.

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