Port Adelaide’s shock 64-point loss to Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval has raised questions about their premiership credentials.
The Hawks stunned the Power on Saturday night despite Ken Hinkley’s side dominating clearances (54-30), centre clearances (18-8) and stoppage clearances (36-22) and finishing with more contested possessions (148-139) and uncontested possessions (261-193).
David King says the Power’s problems run deeper than simply pointing to the absences of key position stars Charlie Dixon and Aliir Aliir.
“It just can’t be, ‘we’re missing Dixon and we’re missing Aliir Aliir’. The structure is supposed to save the rest of the group,” King told SEN’s Whateley.
“I’m personally saying given the comparison to where they are, what they give up and what they allow to the top three, four or five other contenders – it’s over for me, this campaign is done for me.
“I don’t see enough coming through in that next wave of player to say, ‘Yep, we can compete with the big boys’.
“They’ve had their opportunity with home finals and home prelims, they haven’t taken them. I don’t see them getting better – so I’m putting a line through Port Adelaide.
“They may win a dozen games, they may win 13 games and make the finals, but for me, it’s a long way from what the contenders are going to be doing.”
King says the Power need more from four of their youngsters and are also lacking an X-factor player through the midfield.
“I know Ollie Wines and Travis Boak can be damaging, but they can accumulate a glut of numbers that don’t really do anything,” King said.
“Who is their Jake Stringer, Jordan De Goey, Dustin Martin, Christian Petracca-type?
“Where is Connor Rozee? Fourth year now, is this what he is? Zak Butters is getting better, but come on, go bang. Xavier Duursma – if he was a first-round selection at another club, there would be serious scrutiny on that selection right now.
“I’ve seen Todd Marshall play a lot of footy, make a decision on him. Is he their man or isn’t he and get on with it. He finished at centre half-back on the weekend.”
The Power’s loss to Hawthorn leaves them languishing at the bottom of the ladder with a 0-2 record.
Port take on rivals Adelaide, who are also winless, in the Showdown on Friday night.