THE pressure is right on Ken Hinkley’s Port Power to deliver in 2024 after their dismal straight set exits in the 2023 finals series.
They were the trend setters for the first part of last season winning 14 of their first 16 games including 13 in a row but then the wheels fell off when they lost four matches in a row.
They then experienced a surge of three wins before their final’s capitulation where they lost to Brisbane by 48 points at the Gabba in the Qualifying Final before going down to Greater Western Sydney by 23 points in a home semi-final.
Many of their early season wins were on the back of Connor Rozee and Zac Butters but when they tired so did the team.
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Jason Horne-Francis also tired and he will be even fitter as he enters his third season. Ollie Wines struggled last season but he’s a star when fit. Few teams can boast such an on ball quartet.
The Power have recruited two ruckmen in Ivan Soldo and Jordan Sweet from the Western Bulldogs for this season.
Soldo was keen to leave Richmond and the shadow of Toby Nankervis. After missing almost two seasons through injury he showed enough to suggest he could be on the way back to his best last year.
He should prove a great pick-up for the Power.
The Power also have much improved defender and on-baller in Dan Houston plus the likes of Travis Boak and Allir Allir.
Their forward line is also strong led by Todd Marshall and Charlie Dixon plus some handy goal sneaks headed by Willie Rioli.
They have recruited Esava Ratugolea from Geelong and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher in a big to strengthen their at times shaky defence.
On paper they should be a genuine premiership chance in 2024.
FOR:
Adding a ruckman of Ivan Soldo’s quality to feed to their mid-field stars such as Butters, Rozee and Horne-Francis who should be able to feed a talented forward in Todd Marshall is their biggest plus.
AGAINST:
Their backline still looks shaky even with some custom selected recruits. They also don’t have an overabundance of speed.
ODDS: $12 (PlayUp)
IS IT VALUE:
Maybe a little on the overs side. Hard to think they won’t make the finals.
