Opinion The Evolution of Your Best 23 for 2025

[Skindy]

Bergman is an elite intercept mark which is a far more valuable commodity to be utilised in defence rather than his moderately above average pace and Fyfe-like physique to be put into the midfield.

 

[davesnothere]

Lorenz had a solid year in a crappy side, with his lethal left, I'd expect him to get first crack before Moraes.

Moraes is a thoroughbred. Expect him to go past a few.

 

[VineValerian]

In a perfect world, Bergman has the physical attributes to play as a big-bodied midfielder but the reality is that when trialed as a wingman, he did not have as much of an impact and only when he moved down back, he impacted greatly.

Using that as a precedent, I'm not sure if Miles can be effective in the middle but Port does need another big-bodied mid with Wines not getting younger. So who knows? Still has a lot of growth in his game to add if Port can develop him properly.

Port employ wingmen to be "decoys" according to Duursma.
So don't place Miles on a wing and expect him to dominate. It doesn't fit the narrative of the game plan, and is wasting a decent talent instead of placing him where he plays best.

 

[Scodges]

Prioritising super speed is key in the modern game. As we have no big forward, or a competent 2nd ruck type, I like the look of this:

Get SPP in the guts a bit more. jez to add flexibility as a true utility. Perhaps we can evolve from the tagger too (no Drew).

F: Berry - Georgiades - Rioli
HF: Marshall - Lukosius - Rozee (C)
C: Burgoyne - Wines - Moraes
HB: Evans - Aliir - Farrell
B: Bergman - Zerk-Thatcher - Jones
R: Sweet - JHF - Butters
INT: SPP - Sinn - Richards - Finlayson

Drew is actually super handy around the ball without being a tagger, he’s got a reach similar to Bont. First touch of the ball off a ruckman is important.


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

 

[Scodges]

When we had Rats, BZT and Aliir all playing down back, we got exposed for lack of speed and ground ball gets as well as disposal out of defensive 50. Port cannot and should not play all three down back. Someone has to miss out and I'm leaning towards someone who does not possess the nous to play as a tall defender, let alone playing AFL. Not gonna mention his name but you know who is it.

Rats is one of our fastest players, Aliir is no tortoise either. BZT on the other hand……


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

 

[davo999]

We did hedge our bets getting Sweet , Solo , BZT and Ratogalea but at least we have depth in those positions, if Rat and Soldo have to start in the Tessie’s and come in when there’s an injury it’s not such a bad thing .

Bergman BZT Jones
Farrell Allir Evans
Burgoyne Drew Rozee
SPP Lukosious Richards
Rioli Lord Georgiades
Sweet Horne Francis Butters
Int Wines , Berry Marshall Byrne Jones
Sub Boak

 

[Duckimus Prime]

I don't think we've got much depth in the line up with Key backs at all.

BZT, Aliir and Ratugolea with a Cat B Rookie in Moss and a Cat A rooke in Walsh as the options behind them.

In 2023 when we lacked depth we had Aliir, McKenzie and Clurey. With Jonas, Kyle Marshall, Tom McCullum as depth on the main list.

 

[Pablo Escobar]

Port employ wingmen to be "decoys" according to Duursma.
So don't place Miles on a wing and expect him to dominate. It doesn't fit the narrative of the game plan, and is wasting a decent talent instead of placing him where he plays best.

so we employ decoys as small forwards as well as wingmen? With so many decoys no wonder our gameplan is so shite

 

[SureBuddy]

Port employ wingmen to be "decoys" according to Duursma.
So don't place Miles on a wing and expect him to dominate. It doesn't fit the narrative of the game plan, and is wasting a decent talent instead of placing him where he plays best.

When you are a massive turnover merchant like Durrsma, not surprised he was used as a decoy.
Amon most certainly wasn’t used as a decoy, so that comment from him just sounds like he is bitter.

 

[Coobk001]

I don't think we've got much depth in the line up with Key backs at all.

BZT, Aliir and Ratugolea with a Cat B Rookie in Moss and a Cat A rooke in Walsh as the options behind them.

In 2023 when we lacked depth we had Aliir, McKenzie and Clurey. With Jonas, Kyle Marshall, Tom McCullum as depth on the main list.

I agree depth is an issue, but I think Burton will play as a tall back when required, and IMO he should, Bergman can also take more agile talls.

Wouldve been a good spot to have had SPP players training for.

 

[wayb2912]

I don't think we've got much depth in the line up with Key backs at all.

BZT, Aliir and Ratugolea with a Cat B Rookie in Moss and a Cat A rooke in Walsh as the options behind them.

In 2023 when we lacked depth we had Aliir, McKenzie and Clurey. With Jonas, Kyle Marshall, Tom McCullum as depth on the main list.

why wouldnt we have a key defender as our train on? Doesnt make sense to list another midfielder with our SSP

 

[RossFC]

Port Adelaide POWER - Trial Game 1 vs Crows
F: Soldo - Georgiades - Rioli
HF: Byrne-Jones - Lukosius - Powell-Pepper
C: J.Burgoyne - Wines - Boak
HB: Evans - Aliir - Farrell
B: Bergman - Zerk-Thatcher - Jones
R: Sweet - Horne-Francis - Butters
INT: Rozee (C) - Drew - Atkins - Richards
EMERG: Sinn (SUB) - Ratugolea - Finlayson - Burton

Port Adelaide MAGPIES - Round 1 vs Glenelg
F: Lord - Whitlock - Berry
HF: McEntee - Finlayson - Anastasopoulos
C: Lorenz - Moore (C) - Moraes
HB: Sinn - Walsh - Burton
B: Moss - Ratugolea - D.Williams
R: Visentini - Mead - Jackson
INT: Charleson - Barrett - Cochrane - McLennan
EMERG: R.Burgoyne - Francou
OTHER: K.Marshall - Harris

Unavailable:
AFL:
T.Marshall (Achilles, 26 weeks)
SANFL: (Unsigned: Chamberlain - H.Williams - Weidemann - O'Reilly - Turner - Calvett - Carter - Launer - Pascoe - H.Ferrari - Roberts - Cheesman - O'Brien - Baldwin - Aldridge - Stevens - Brazel - Byrne - W.Ferrari - Cockatoo-Collins - Cooper - Gilchrist)

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Unavailable:
AFL:
T.Marshall (Achilles, 26 weeks)

Almost as bad as an ACL. We have contracted him to end of 2029 and he also has concussion issues.

He will do very well ($$$), out of his career at Port Adelaide. Pity the club wont.

 

[Scodges]

With Marshall now out, I’d def have Lord in.


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

 

[RangaInTeal]

Almost as bad as an ACL. We have contracted him to end of 2029 and he also has concussion issues.

He will do very well ($$$), out of his career at Port Adelaide. Pity the club wont.

Everything happens for a reason, many here were wishing the club would give him 12 months off to fix the head. Hopefully 6 months in the gym and no contact he rips 2026 apart!