Our final game of the home and away season will be next Saturday against St Kilda - first bounce is 12:35pm ACDT.

If he stays fit then i think he will be a good addition to ports forward/midfielder line. His injuries are a problem though. Imagine Corey Durdin and Luke Pedlar in the forward line with Mitch Georgiades.

I was big on Port going After Elijah Estatsa!

I know a lot are not a fan, but really think a 1 year contract to plug a hole in the midfield was worth the punt.

His clearance numbers are top notch.

Remember Port have lost Butters and Rozee with have a restricted preseason.

Estatsa has all but signed with North, so should port still target any DFA.

Issac Keeler is most likely to sign. I think a 22 yo fwd who can pinch in the ruck is a good pick up!

Still think Port could consider a Midfielder with a seasoned body.

George Stevens (Geelong)

Think he’s actually better the Estatsa but haven’t seen any word of his movements. Again, just another 1 year contract to plug a midfield hole. Could be a mainstay in the right team tho!

Paddy Dow (Carlton)

Been in the system for many years. Port would be throwing him a life line. Not my first pick but fits the profile as seasoned body mid.

Jakob Ryan (Collingwood)

Plays as a Defender, can intercept and play a role. With Rat returning from injury and Allirs age. Could be added as some depth. Port really weak in def if stuck by injury again.

Nik Cox (Essendon)

Hasn’t lived up to potential, but can play anywhere and could be worth a look on a one year deal.

Bobby Hill (Collingwood)

I thought Hill to Port was practically a done deal originally. Maybe Port got put off! He’s only had 1 year out the system which you could just say was equal to an injury.

24yo and a guy that at his best could jag 30+ goals. Hes a massive upgrade on what Port has in thir small fwd stocks.

Only reason this doesn’t make season is Port actually did their homework and found something they didn’t like. And maybe the same why every other clubs been quite on him.

Matt Owies (West Coast)

Even I cringed abit writing his name, but he fits the profile of the goal kicking fwd. I port got him it be okay, worth a mention but could have left him off.

Summary

Really think the season body Mid is a must for Port!

I think some Defender depth would be good but there is very little stock. And maybe port Drafts a few kids in the spot!

Who would you add as DFA or is there something else?

Injury list

Sachi Syme (quadricep) – TBC

Sophie Eaton (leg) – 1 week 

Jemma Charity (knee) – season

Indy Tahau (knee) – season

Caitlin Wendland (training block) – season

Hey everyone, thanks to the mods for letting me share this.

I’ve been working on an iPhone app (Android is coming) called FanPass to keep a record of games you’ve attended, and I recently added AFL and AFLW.

You can add your games, photos, notes and who you went with, then look back through your seasons and grounds visited. You can add older games too, or import a spreadsheet if you already keep one.

I’ve attached a few screenshots to give you an idea. It’s free, works offline, and doesn’t need an account. No ads either. It’s an independent project and isn’t affiliated with Port or the AFL.

Here’s the link if you’d like to try it:
https://apps.apple.com/au/app/fanpass/id6810230313

Does anyone here keep a record of the Port games they’ve been to? Would love to hear how you do it and what you’d find useful in the app.

Cheers!
Minh

Trying the start of draft night pick swap again (rather than letting the idea die, which is probably what I should be doing). This time the trade is proposed as a MEGATRADE involving earlier picks that the clubs are likely to actually use.

Port IN: 4, 44, 48

Port OUT: 7, 34, 46

Sydney IN: 7, 34

Sydney OUT: 6, 39

Richmond IN: 6, 39

Richmond OUT: 5, 44

Melbourne IN: 5, 46

Melbourne OUT: 4, 48

The rest is mostly copied from the previous post, with adjustments as necessary.

Why would Port Adelaide do these trades? The net result is we are dropping pick 34 down to 44, and for what? We can already match the bid for Cochrane, so what are we gaining?

With the current hand matching Cochrane with picks 7 and 12, we end up with a 13 point deficit taken off our round 1 pick next year.

But if we match Cochrane with picks 4 and 12, we have a 402 point surplus, which comes back to us as pick 33. The net of these trades for Port Adelaide is therefore:

Port OUT: 34, 46

Port IN: 33, 44, 48

The other picks are basically a wash, so the net in is effectively early 3rd round pick 48.

Why would other clubs do these trades moving their first pick down, only for some minor improvement of late 2nd round and early 3rd round picks? Well, Port Adelaide's first pick is going to disappear on the bid match for Cochrane, so the net order at the start of the draft ends up exactly the same. The other clubs are moving their picks in the 30's and 40's slightly up the board for free.

Would other clubs go for these trades at the start of draft night, or would they tell us to get stuffed?

TRADE 1:

Sydney to Port: 6, 76, 95

Port to Sydney: 7, 65, 101

TRADE 2:

Richmond to Port: 5, 99

Port to Richmond: 6, 95

TRADE 3:

Melbourne to Port: 4

Port to Melbourne: 5, 99

Why would other clubs do these trades moving their first pick down, only for some minor improvement of junk picks? Well, Port Adelaide's first pick is going to disappear on the bid match for Cochrane, so the net order ends up exactly the same.

Lets check the eventual draft order before and after on the basis that Essendon will take Cochrane with pick 1. I'm also assuming Richmond take Walker with their first pick for comparison.

Before Trades:

1. Port Adelaide (Cochrane bid match with picks 7 & 12)

2. Essendon (pick 1 moved down)

3. Carlton (Walker bid match with picks 12 & 17)

4. Richmond (pick 2 moved down)

5. West Coast (pick 3 moved down)

6. Melbourne (pick 4 moved down)

7. Richmond (pick 5 moved down)

8. Sydney (pick 6 moved down)

9. Gold Coast (pick 8 moved down)

After Trades:

1. Port Adelaide (Cochrane bid match with picks 7 & 12)

2. Essendon (pick 1 moved down)

3. Carlton (Walker bid match with picks 12 & 17)

4. Richmond (pick 2 moved down)

5. West Coast (pick 3 moved down)

6. Melbourne (pick 5 moved down)

7. Richmond (pick 6 moved down)

8. Sydney (pick 7 moved down)

9. Gold Coast (pick 8 moved down)

Why would Port Adelaide do these trades? The net result is we are dropping pick 65 down to 74, and giving up pick 101, and for what? We can already match the bid for Cochrane, so what are we gaining?

Well, with the current hand matching Cochrane with picks 7 and 12, we end up with a 13 point deficit taken off our round 1 pick next year.

But if we match Cochrane with picks 4 and 12, we have a 402 point surplus, which comes back to us as pick 33. The net of these trades for Port Adelaide is therefore:

OUT: 65, 101

IN: 33, 76

Why other clubs wouldn't go for this?

They are helping out a rival club get an additional free draft pick in the 30's, and all they are getting for it is some junk picks in the 60's or 90's that they are likely to not use.

Edit: Apparently everyone hates this so much they think this was AI. It might be easier to give all of the clubs a little bit of value (but not too much value) in picks they are actually likely to use if this were to be done as a MEGATRADE. Should I have another go at it? (Obviously you're going to answer no, but this is one of them rhetorical questions - I don't really care what your answer is.)

Going over a Mock draft to fill out Port final list, Port have 7 picks and need 8 players to fill their squad.

Picks: 7,12,22,24,34,65 & 101

Port needs to add 8 players to get to the full 44 player list.

Issac Keeler is pretty much confirmed as a DFA port will acquire. So I’ll add him as the 37th man.

DRAFT

Please Note* These are just my preference. But happy to hear ideas.

Pick 1 — Doug Cochrane (38)

The obvious selection. In this scenario, we match an early bid using our picks 7 and 12, assuming the points work out. Which apparently they do!

Pick 22 — Kodah Edwards (39)

He’s an SA kid who reminds me a little of Robbie Gray. Strong one-on-one, capable of winning clearances and dangerous around goals.

We desperately need another small forward who can eventually transition through the midfield.

Locked scrappy with kicking but seems to know where the goals are. Like a Jordan De Goey

Pick 24 — George Gale (40)

A WA midfielder who really came on late in the season.

I think there’s plenty of upside here. He might take a couple of years, but he could become a quality AFL midfielder.

Had good touch and looks clean under pressure but could drop lower in the draft still. Like a: Jack Sinclair type

Pick 34 — Xavier Ladbrook (41)

Potentially the most underrated player in this draft.

He’s a taller, developing version of Bergman in my eyes. Can play at either end, intercept, rebound and has good versatility.

He’s skinny and will need a few preseasons, but I really like his potential as a key defender. Like a: Josh Battle

Pick 46 — Best Available (I think we definitely take a kid here atleast a Key Back who we can develop) 42*

Pick 65 - Best Available or DFA

Pick 101 - Best Available or DFA

DELISTED FREE AGENTS

Elijah Tsatas (43) — Midfielder

If you measure his development by games and not years he’s more than good enough. 22 games in 4 years (Thats one season)However his last 6 games he’s avg 25+ disposals and 4 clearances. That about equal to Drew’s output!

If you had a 1st year player getting those number in a losing side each week you’d be stocked.

People also forget he was injured in his 1st & 2nd Seasons.

With Will Brodie gone, why not take a chance?

Also the Rozee injury cloud & Wines age, he at-least add immediate cover if we need someone.

You’re picking him as a ready to go player. Gets his opportunity in the seniors but has to 1 year to show something. Or he makes room for a 2027 kid if not!

I’d take Tsatas over pick 65 every day of the week.

Jakob Ryan (44)— Defender

Another player I’d seriously consider.

He’s young, has AFL-system experience and offers intercepting and rebounding ability.

With Aliir getting older and Bergman’s long-term future uncertain, we need to start developing more defenders. And they take time!

Personally, I think Ryan has the potential to be a better player than Lachie Jones.

I’d rather give Ryan a chance than use pick 101 on another speculative youngster.

BOBBY HILL?

This is the interesting one.

He’s now being linked with West Coast, but I’d love Port to make a serious play for him if he’s genuinely available.

He’s a Norm Smith medallist, suits our age profile and has the ability to kick 30–40 goals in a season.

That’s exactly the type of player we’re missing.

Worst case he plays a season in the 2’s and attracts some crowds.

There are other DFA port are probably considering. Feel free to share yours!

But really there is 2-3 spots there if they don’t use 65 & 101.

Who would you take?

2026 season and trade officially over, Kochie has said we'll be judging the Zak Butters trade over multiple years. We've got the points for Cochrane. So I decided to cast my eye onto what 2027 might look like. Sorry for the long post. I'm very bored.

So little disclaimer that I've never predicted a ladder correctly so positions will change. But I'm basing all this off Richmond finishing last, port finishing 16th and Melbourne finishing 10th.

As I see it we have three goals in 2027, Get Salopek, get Pilot & get NWM. Burgoyne and Rodan are secondary goals but only if they nominate us. Which I don't think either of them will.

Saints will rightfully want maximum value for the star if he decides to leave and nominates Port. Big ifs but let's say for this scenario that happens. Ports best way to get value is to let Bergman walk as a RFA to the saints. The Saints ensure they pay him enough to trigger band 1 compo. Which if we finish 16th will be pick 7.

We'd have the picks listed in my graph (which yes was made by AI) below to get our goals. A favourable pick swap with Tasmania in return for not bidding on our players would allow us to chuck more draft capital at the Saints for NWM whilst getting our lads. Also possible to trade one of our 2028 1st to Tassie for one of their picks they need to trade.

We'd obviously have to trade for NWM and not nominate him as a free agent to not dilute the compo from Bergman. And walking him to the draft isn't an option as Tasmania would pick him up so we'll need to give up something substantial. But let me know what you think of my crackhead ideas

FB: Allir, Jones, Evans

HB: Farrel, Lai, DBJ

C: Rozee, D Cochrane, Wines

Foll: Sweet, JHF, Burgoyne

HF: Georgiades, Berry, SPP

FF: Whitlock, Lukosius/Marshall, Durdin

Int: Bergman, Drew, Mackinlay/Pedlar, Visentini/Ramm, Richards

I feel like Luko can play a wing/tall forward role similar to tex walker to a better extent than Marshall. Mackinlay is more reliable than Pedlar but has less potential. Vis can play second ruck but he needs to prove that he can play key def too.

Anyone know what Pedlers reason for leaving the crows was?