PORT ADELAIDE forward Brad Ebert says having six new faces in the side for its season opener against Melbourne has reinvigorated the rest of the team.
Power coach Ken Hinkley confirmed on Tuesday that teenage first-round draftees Connor Rozee, Zak Butters and Xavier Duursma would make their AFL debuts at the MCG on Saturday, along with 20-year-old midfielder Willem Drew.
The Power will also have West Coast premiership ruckman Scott Lycett and Hawthorn recruit Ryan Burton playing their first games in black, white, silver and teal.
Ebert said the host of new faces, especially the draftees, had freshened up the side.
“I reckon it reinvigorates a lot of the boys that have been playing for a long time,” he said during an interview with Adelaide radio station Triple M.
“I know personally, working with Connor Rozee and Zak Butters down forward I’ve loved watching what they do and it really gets that excitement and enthusiasm up.
“I think the way they play is how a young kid should – just go after it, go after the body and take what comes.
“I think they’ll be really fitting in well and they’re complemented by your Lycett and Burton and even Drew who has been around for a number of years now and just had a few injury setbacks and he’s at a point where he’s ready to play and ready to play well.”
Ebert used his regular spot on the station’s breakfast show to outline his predictions for the AFL season, including nominating new co-captain Ollie Wines to win the club’s best and fairest.
Wines will miss the clash with the Demons as he continues to push for a return after shoulder surgery.
Despite the delayed start to his campaign, Wines remains Ebert’s pick for the John Cahill Medal.
“Ollie Wines is going to come back with a vengeance, he’s going to come back hot I reckon,” Ebert said.
“Ollie’s taken the leadership role, I reckon he’s going to put it under his stride.
“Once he gets back in, he’s going to have a big season in the midfield.”
Ebert also predicted Lycett’s arrival at Alberton would free Paddy Ryder up to win the club’s leading goalkicker award.
Among his other predictions was a Grand Final between Port Adelaide and Richmond and West Coast’s Luke Shuey to win the Brownlow.
See all of Brad Ebert’s predictions below:
Port Adelaide Best and Fairest: Ollie Wines
Port Adelaide leading goal kicker: Paddy Ryder
Brownlow Medal: Luke Shuey (West Coast)
Coleman Medal: Jack Riewoldt (Richmond)
AFL’s biggest climber on the ladder: Brisbane (could win up to 11 games)
AFL’s biggest slider on the ladder: Hawthorn (won’t finish bottom but might slip to tenth)
Brad Ebert’s top eight for 2019:
Port Adelaide
Richmond
Collingwood
Adelaide
Melbourne
West Coast
Sydney
Essendon
