Can trio make Port Adelaide premiership contenders?

Geelong premiership star Cameron Mooney says Port Adelaide’s aggressive recruitment through trade period puts them right in the frame to have a massive 2018.

Restricted free-agent Steven Motlop has nominated the Power as his club of choice, and Geelong is unlikely to match the offer given to the 26-year-old, while Melbourne forward Jack Watts is heavily favoured to join the club after being put up for trade by the Dees.

This is on top of the signing of former Brisbane Lions captain Tom Rockliff on a four-year deal.

“That’s massive to get Rockliff, Motlop and Watts if it happens all in a trade period,” Mooney said on SEN’s The Run Home.

“That’s big playing, big playing. If they all fire at the one time over a year, it’s going to be a big pickup for Port Adelaide.”

Mooney said each of the players provides versatility in areas that can help lighten the load on their key players.

“Tommy Rockliff, there’s a guy who you can have either on the ball and get you 25 possessions, he’s a clearance beast around the ball, or he can go forward and kick goals we’ve seen him as a one on one player be very good,” he said.

“Throw Robbie Gray on top of that, [Chad] Wingard, then you throw [Sam] Powell-Pepper in there, [Travis] Boak, you’ve got all these guys you can throw through half forward and on ball.

“Motlop’s best is brilliant, but unfortunately we don’t get to see that all the time. If somehow Kenny can get the absolute consistent best out of Steven Motlop – brilliant, great pickup.

“He’s your outside player, speedy. He’s got a huge engine, so he can run between the arcs, he can be your linkup player with handball, run and carry, put the ball inside 50 and he’s a goal kicker.

“If they get Jack Watts, then it gives Charlie Dixon another chop out, another tall body who can run. The domino effect for everybody is it’s a huge trade period for Port Adelaide.”