Former Blue Bryce Gibbs has named the three players for Port Adelaide that need to have a big pre-season.
Following a disappointing 2022, the Power are looking to bounce back and contend again, with the club’s sights set on the top four.
With these high aspirations, Gibbs has outlined three Port players that “will want to put their best foot forward” in order to help the club achieve this goal.
See Gibbs’ picks below:
Josh Sinn
I’ve got Josh Sinn as one of them, he was a first-round pick in 2021 and has had a couple of injury issues but he’s only played the one game,” he said on Saturdays in SA.
“With Karl Amon departing the club, I think he can make that wing his own, he’s a good size, he’s got speed, agility is good, and he’s got the ability to get forward and hit the scoreboard as well.
“I think a big year in the gym and an uninterrupted preseason for him, I think he can make that wing spot his own.”
Mitch Georgiades
“He was a consistent player in the side last year but has come under a bit of pressure at times for his inconsistent performances,” Gibbs said.
“What position does he need to play, he’s obviously a forward, key-forward but do they need to throw him on the wing, do they throw him at half-back, he spent some time in the SANFL as well so a little bit inconsistent for Mitch.
“He is setting himself to have a big preseason and to make a statement, to take his game to another level because he’s obviously got a lot of talent, and he is in their best 22 when he’s up and going, there’s no doubt about that.
“Obviously Dixon and Finlayson, Lycett when he’s resting there, are going to be those big key forwards but he can be that hybrid that chops in, intercept marks in front, front of the packs and he can kick 40, 50 goals, I think that’s what he needs to aim for.”
Xavier Duursma
“He has shown some really good signs, and then he has had some inconsistencies as well, he did battle some injuries last year, I think he only played 10 or 11 games, spent a bit of time in the SANFL as well,” Gibbs said.
“I just see him needing to have a big preseason because I think, if we expect Port to bounce next year, and they’re healthy, spots in this side are going to be extremely tough.
“The position that Duursma plays, that sort of outside-mid, do you throw him at half-back, they’re pretty well stacked there.
“You think of guys on the wing, so Sinn who I’ve mentioned, (Kane) Farrell, (Miles) Bergman, Georgiades might play a bit of time up there as well.
“Do you throw him at half-back but you’ve got the likes of (Dan) Houston, (Ryan) Burton, (Riley) Bonner, (Lachie) Jones if he’s up and going as well, so spots in this side are going to be extremely hard to get.
“He’s been in the system a couple of years now, he knows what it’s all about, he’s my other one to watch and he probably needs to have a big preseason to help take his game to another level.”