Port Adelaide has been one of the most AFL Fantasy-friendly teams in recent years.
However, after a shocking year and a slide down the ladder for the Power, we’re expecting a new game plan from Ken Hinkley in 2023. The current trend is to play fast football which leads to a lesser share of disposals for the team overall. If this happens at Port Adelaide, we’re likely to see a dip in fantasy scoring.
Regardless, here are some players we think are worth looking at.
Take a listen to our latest podcast: Pre-season 2023: Port Adelaide Power Preview feat. Callum Stone from GameDay Squad
The Undervalued
Travis Boak falls into this category purely on age. He averaged 95 last season, which would make him ‘too good for the podcast’, but given his age, he might be on the trading block for some teams trying to cash in before he retires. I have a feeling he spends more time up forward in 2023 which would see him decline in his AFL Fantasy output, but he still should be good enough to average around the 80 mark. If he can gain forward status he might be a good option for teams who are contending this season.
Scott Lycett spent most of last season on the sidelines but has been a solid contributor in the past. Most coaches will have him way down their rankings this season, so I feel he could be a good value pick-up. The reason why I like him so much is there’s no clear backup ruckman at Port Adelaide, which means he should see the vast majority of the ruck time at Port Adelaide. If you miss out on one of the big rucks at the start of the draft, look to him as a value pick-up later on.
Sam Powell-Pepper came into his own last season, playing as a forward for Port Adelaide. At times he played as a connector and other times he pushed up to the stoppages as an extra midfielder around the ground. I see him putting up similar AFL Fantasy numbers this season given that he gets on the end of a few goals but I wouldn’t be expecting huge scores.
The Breakout Contenders
Xavier Duursma and Miles Bergmann are two talented players competing for the wing position left vacant by Karl Amon. Both players bring unique skills to the table, but when it comes to AFL Fantasy scoring, Duursma is likely to come out ahead. Duursma has shown a knack for finding the ball and making an impact, as well as a strong fantasy scoring record in previous seasons. Meanwhile, Bergmann is still developing his game and may not have the same level of consistency as Duursma. I think both will get good opportunities this season, but I think Duursma comes out on top as the better scorer in the long term.
Kane Farrell will be making a position change this season, moving from the midfield to the defence. This change should have a positive impact on his AFL Fantasy scoring. Playing in the backline will provide Farrell with more opportunities to get involved in the play, as well as rack up touches across the back line. Additionally, given he has a penetrating kick, Farrell is also likely to take kick-ins, which can add to his overall score in AFL Fantasy. All of these factors combined make it likely that Farrell’s shift to defence will result in improved AFL Fantasy scoring for the upcoming season.
Jason Horne-Francis enters the 2023 season with a change of scenery at Port Adelaide. While he may still rotate into the forward line as he did last year, Horne-Francis is expected to see more time in the midfield overall. Hopefully, we see more of the tough and hard-working attributes that were highlighted in his draft year in 2023 as he develops into one of the competition’s elite midfielders. This season, his increased time in the midfield should provide him with more opportunities to make an impact on the game and score more AFL Fantasy points. He’s a player to watch in the upcoming season.
The Stash Options
Josh Sinn is a talented half-back flanker who has experienced an interrupted pre-season due to injury. While this setback may impact his performance in 2023, it’s important to remember that he is still a young and developing player with a lot of potential. When it comes to AFL Fantasy scoring, Sinn is more likely to be a good option in the future, rather than in the present. While it may take some time for him to reach his full potential, the future looks bright for Josh Sinn, and he is a player worth keeping an eye on for fantasy coaches.
Find out about the best draftees for AFL Fantasy in our ‘AFL Draft Fantasy Analysis 2022′ podcast exclusively for members.
Support the podcast by becoming a member.
