In one of the most complex trades in history, midfielder Jason-Horne Francis and forward Junior Rioli landed at Alberton during the trade period. Image: Matt Sampson.

PORT ADELAIDE’s draft hand as it stands is picks 33 and 60, after the club failed to complete any further trades on the final day of the Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period.

Port lost Karl Amon to free agency and a host of current and future picks in a mega trade that brought young midfielder Jason Horne-Francis and exciting forward Junior Rioli to Alberton.

Pick 33 was offered to Geelong in a proposed trade for athletic tall Esava Ratugolea but a deal could not be reached before Wednesday night’s 7pm ACDT deadline.

While disappointed to miss out on Ratugolea, General Manager – Football, Chris Davies was pragmatic about the outcome and pleased with the club’s overall work in the trade period.

“(Pick) 33 was on the table for a period of time,” Davies said after the deadline. “We know Esava is disappointed but ultimately that’s Geelong’s prerogative; he’s a contracted player.

“Our defence hasn’t necessarily been our issue over a period of time. We’ve been able to defend the ground well but adding a midfielder and also a half forward in Junior Rioli was what we were wanting to achieve.

“There’s no doubt we need to be better in that area of the ground. And with those guys coming in, we think we can be.”

06:28

Junior Rioli interview | PTV

Junior Rioli speaks to the club about the feeling of landing at Alberton, why he chose to play at Port Adelaide and what role he sees himself playing in the side.

Picks can still be swapped leading into the NAB AFL National Draft, which runs over two days from November 28, and delisted free agents added.

However, Davies is confident Port Adelaide has a list capable of returning to finals and challenging for the ultimate success.

“It’s a list with a lot of potential,” he said. “We’ve drafted in seven first-round picks in the last four drafts – that’s third in the competition for the number of young players we’ve brought in.

“But at Port Adelaide, you know you’ve got a responsibility to be challenging every year and that’s our want.

“Clearly, we weren’t anywhere near that last year. But we think with a bit of luck – you know Fantasia being injured all year wasn’t helpful, Dixon missing the first ten weeks wasn’t helpful - we think it won’t take much for us to be a contender again and that’s absolutely going to be our want and goal for 2023.”

Port Adelaide’s younger players remain on leave and are due to return for pre-season training in late November.