Former AFL recruiter Matt Rendell sees Port Adelaide rebounding from a poor 2022 and returning to the top four this season.
The Power missed the top eight last year, unable to rebound from a listless 0-5 start.
However, Rendell believes the additions of Jason Horne-Francis and Willie Rioli coupled with internal improvement gives them the best list they’ve had in a long time.
“They’ve got to finish in the top four. They finished second two years ago and their team is way better. Way better than it was two years ago,” he told SEN SA’s Kymbo and the Rooch.
“They’ve got Jason Horne-Francis who has come in, Lachie Jones is going to be a star, Josh Sinn is going to be a star. Zak Butters, Xavier Duursma and Connor Rozee will all be better.
“Willie Rioli, Orazio Fantasia, Mitch Georgiades is going to be better, Todd Marshall is going to be better – they are loaded with talent. They have to finish top four.
“I can’t see them not finishing top four.”
Rendell sees the hole in Port Adelaide’s line-up as their lack of key defenders, something they attempted to address in the trade period. Geelong, however, denied them access to contracted swingman Esava Ratugolea.
“They’ve only got one deficiency that I can see. They lack another key back,” he said.
“They would love a Darcy Moore or a Steven May or a Brennan Cox even. They’re relying heavily on Aliir Aliir to play every game this year and if he gets injured they’re in a lot of trouble. Their backup is Trent McKenzie.
“Although Jeremy Finlayson can go back and play there and I’d be hoping in pre-season that he spent a lot of time there because they’re loaded up on key forwards.”
Port Adelaide will get an early litmus test, taking on Brisbane in Round 1.