Bickley: The five Power talents that could become A-graders

Who will be Port Adelaide's A-Graders in 2027?

After trading Zak Butters to his desired home in Melbourne's west in exchange for a raft of draft picks, Port Adelaide will have to look within to find an adequate replacement.

And while the pressure is off for head coach Josh Carr next year given the landscape of the Power's list, finding progression in some form is a must ahead of his second season in charge.

Talent is evident within Port Adelaide's roster, and with the addition of NGA talent Dougie Cochrane in the upcoming draft, plus fellow NGA talent Zemes Pilot and father-son prospect Louis Salopek in 2027, the club's future is in good hands.

However, considering only the last 12 months of football, two-time Adelaide premiership captain Mark Bickley has named the club's bonafide stars, the potential A-Graders and the smokey that could star ahead of next season.

A-graders

Jason Horne-Francis

“He is a bonafide A-grader,” Bickley told SEN SA Breakfast.

Mitch Georgiades

“Mitch Georgiades is an A-grader.

“The only thing that stopped him from being an A-Grader this year is that he didn’t kick straight. That’s probably the only thing.”

Aliir Aliir

“If you said, Bonafide A-grader, Jason Horne-Francis, then I’m prepared to say that Aliir Aliir and Mitch Georgiades are close enough to being A-graders.”

Potentials

Connor Rozee

“He is an A-Grader if he gets back anywhere near it. He has a question mark slightly on him.

“He just has to get back on the park, prove that he can run and he will be an A-grader.”

Miles Bergman

“He is another one that has got all the attributes and has showed it for periods but hasn’t done it consistently.

“He’s got the potential to jump up.”

Jack Lukosius

“I think he clearly has the potential. Whether you think he can deliver on that potential or not… that’s going to be the $64 million question.

“Can he play on a wing, can he play as a high half forward, can he utilise that amazing ability he has to kick the ball?”

Smokey

Jase Burgoyne

“Can he become an A-grader? Go back two years, he played in a final against Hawthorn that Port Adelaide won and he was best on ground.

“We saw him last year taking another step forward when he started to play some midfield time.

“He has played games on Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and some of the other good players from opposition clubs.

“Can he get in the gym, get his body organised and get really fit… because I think he’s got the talent.”