MUCH has been made of the crop of talented youngsters on Port Adelaide’s playing list.
The “Holy Trinity” of Connor Rozee, Zak Butters and Xavier Duursma have formed the blueprint of the successful modern-day draft and look to be the future of the Power’s midfield.
Big man Sam Hayes has received plenty of attention this off-season as he hopes to finally break into Port’s best 22, while father-son Jackson Mead and dashing draftee Josh Sinn have rightfully stirred up plenty of intrigue thanks their development over the summer.
However, perhaps surprisingly, one man that has quietly gone about his business over the pre-season is the high-flying Mitch Georgiades.
The West Australian has made a name for himself with his straight kicking and knack for sitting on opponents’ heads, and has been hard at work over the summer as he looks to become a more prominent member of Port’s attacking unit.
That work was on show in Port’s 37-point victory over the Crows in the AAMI Community Series as Georgiades led all-comers with four goals, and several of those trademark eye-catching grabs to boot.
“To finally get a hit-out after pre-season is always good,” he told portadelaidefc.com.au post-match.
“We started off a bit slow and probably didn’t play the footy we wanted to play (in the first half), but in the second half we responded really well and I thought we started to get on the outside and use our skills like we know we can do.
“The second half we came out, we were tougher and we played the footy style we wanted to play and everyone was able to get involved.”
The 20-year-old’s marking has always been one of his biggest weapons and he again proved to be a lethal aerial force at Richmond Oval, snagging several gravity-defying clunks.
Highlights aside, Power fans should be equally excited to see Georgiades taking a leading role in attack as Port’s forward line adjusts to life without Charlie Dixon and Orazio Fantasia, while also looking to integrate former Giant Jeremy Finlayson into the mix.
“It was a nice little day today, a couple stuck which is always exciting,” he said with a smile.
“It was good, all of us down there (in the forward line) we’re working really well together. Each session, each training we’re learning and gelling really well now.
“We all know how important Charlie is in that forward line and we’ve all got to step up, including me.
“Me, Todd and Jez, we’re all playing our part and it’s really exciting.
“(Jeremy’s) an impressive talent. He moves so well for a big boy and to see him get a couple goals out there was really exciting.
“We’re all starting to move together really well and hit the scoreboard.”
The countdown begins now as Port prepare to face fellow premiership fancies Brisbane at the Gabba in a fortnight as it puts the finishing touches on another gruelling pre-season.
The players will enjoy a four-day break before cracking back into training next week at Alberton. It’s a short breather that will be extra special for Georgiades, who will finally be able to welcome family into his Adelaide home after the re-opening of the West Australian borders.
He has ways to go to reach the lofty standards of fellow WA product Josh Carr, and pre-season or not, but Georgiades enjoys the fact that he has also never tasted defeat at the hands of the Crows since arriving at Alberton in 2019.
“Every time you play them it’s got a bit of extra feel to a normal game,” he explained.
“There was a bit of words out there and a bit of everything, which is exciting because it means that footy is starting.
“It’s a massive win, every win is a good one.”
