PORT ADELAIDE defender Troy Chapin believes his club can rectify its dramatic fall from grace in 2008 as early as next year.

The Power have made 12 changes to their playing list after slipping from second to 13th last season and are expected to start 2009 with one of the youngest lists in the AFL after stocking up on youngsters in next Saturday’s NAB AFL Draft.

But Chaplin said the players were quietly confident and focused on a marked improvement next season.

“It’s only November, but I suppose if we can finish in the top-eight next season it would be great,” Chaplin said.

“It was a pretty big fall from grace to play in a grand final [2007] and then finish 13th. It’s a little bit of a turnaround, but I think with the squad that we’ve got and the quality of players that we had injured last year, it is something we can turn around.”

Port Adelaide, under new fitness coach Cameron Falloon, has placed a greater emphasis on strength this pre-season and already some of the players are showing the benefits of an increased weights program.

Youngsters Matthew Westhoff, Paul Stewart, Nathan Krakouer, Travis Boak and Nick Salter are sporting greater muscle definition and Chaplin said the group had really embraced the additional weights sessions.

“In previous pre-season we’ve probably come back looking to be really fit and we’ve trimmed down, but this year it’s all about strength and power and guys are getting bigger and more muscle on them, while still having the ability to run,” he said.

“The new program under Cam Falloon has been fantastic and it’s probably given us a fresh start. We’ve put the 2008 season behind us and are really focussed on 2009.”

The Power players were pumping blood, as well as iron, at the Allan Scott Power Headquarters on Wednesday. The club joined forces with the Red Cross Blood Service with more than 15 players volunteering to donate blood.

“I decided to give blood today and a few of the boys have, so that’s great,” Chaplin said.

“I think one in three people will need blood at some stage and only one in 30 donate, so it’s a great opportunity to give a little bit back and, to the Red Cross Blood Service, what better way to do it than at the club.”