Almanac Footy: Port Adelaide 2026 season preview

 

And now, the boys from Alberton.

 

List:

The focus of this website is on club lists. This applies also to Port, who have quite a good list, once you set aside all the political / coaching / board / management issues from last season.

If we look at the list only, we can see why Port will, most probably, return to their very competitive position of previous seasons. They have a good mix of core players in and around the mature group and in most height areas.

There are two major concerns for me, being: 1. The empty column of core genuine talls (195-199cms); and, 2. Is their best ruckman their number 1 ruckman or some other?
Ratugolea, Zerk-Thatcher, and Lukosius, each played half seasons or less in 2025. Are they going to play full seasons in 2026? If not, who else does? Marshall? Lord? Clearly Port need to have this as a Plan B.

Also, Jordon Sweet is by far their best ruckman, yet he is unfairly being held to a rookie contract. Of course, we know now that Soldo has wrecked his knee, again, and Sweet will be elevated. But, is that the Port list management intention? Is Marshall a forward and/or a change ruckman? If so, how will that affect the development of Visentini, who looks every bit their next first ruckman. Marshall appears to have lost his way. Is he a ruckman, a forward, or both? His 2025 left many questions about his performance.

So, the key backs in defence need to settle. The key forwards look more predictable. Georgiades, Lukosias, Marshall and Lord can be rotated through the course of the season.

The good news is that the midfield looks very strong. Butters, Wines, Drew, Farrell, Sinn, Horne-Francis, Rozee, Brodie, Wehr, Richards, and others make it look very strong, with plenty of rotations.

For the EOS draft, some junior mobile talls (190-194cm) might be suggested.

 

Select 23:

Ratugolea and Zerk-Thatcher did play very well in the half seasons they played, so I’d go with them, plus Aliir as 3rd tall. Burgoyne, Jones and Bergman are core mediums around them.

As said, the midfield picks itself. It will be interesting to see how Brodie comes up after so much time out of footy. Brodie was a walk-up start in his last game, but that was back in April 2023. How is he now?

To me, Sweet is their #1 ruckman. He should have a full-time contract. Visentini should continue developing his craft rotating from the bench.
On paper, Georgiades and Lukosias are their two best key forwards. Although Powell-Pepper on performance would be in the pocket, he had an arthroscopy only 3 weeks ago to reduce discomfort. So, Marshall may well start the season in that pocket. Durdin and Mackinlay are the crumbers.

New coach Carr, and his team, have some figuring to do, but the upside can be quick and significant, if things work out.

 

B: Burgoyne, Zerk-Thatcher, Aliir

HB: Jones, Ratugolea, Bergman

C: Farrell, Butters, Sinn

HF: Horne-Francis, Lukosias, Rozee

F: Powell-Pepper, Geogiades, Durdin

R: Sweet, Wines, Drew

I: Visentini, Brodie, Mackinlay, Wehr, Richards

 

You can follow all my list updates as they become available at https://www.ozfootylistmanager.com/2026-lists-new.html

 

Next: Oh we’re from Tigerland!

 

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