PORT ADELAIDE managed to keep its best 22 players on the park during 2007, but that hasn’t stopped the Power from striving for greater depth in its list this season.
Competition for spots last year was fierce with experienced players such as Damon White and Nathan Lonie finding themselves back in the SANFL, squeezed out by exciting youngsters like Justin Westhoff and Travis Boak.
This year has already seen draftee Marlon Motlop and rookie Nick Salter enjoy a taste of senior football; with Michael Wilson the only long-term injury list member, healthy competition will again be a feature at Alberton.
Midfielder Danyle Pearce, who burst onto the AFL scene in 2006, said the club was well prepared if injuries should occur during the season.
“The club has been great at really developing the young blokes from the moment they walk in,” he said. “I think we’ve seen now that we have a lot of depth and that we can throw players in if an injury occurs. Some of the younger boys have stepped up and really showed that they can come in and do the job.”
Versatility was another area of improvement on the agenda at Alberton.
Pearce said the Power needed more players capable of playing in different positions, not unlike their ‘Mr Fix-it’, Chad Cornes, who has earned All-Australian crowns at both centre half-back and on the wing.
“Shaun Burgoyne going forward on Saturday, kicking a few goals and showing he can be a versatile player, was an example of that,” Pearce said.
“I think he finished with five, which was great to see. We also tried Damon White again down back. We’ve got everyone trying new positions; we’ll if we can use them there during the year.”
Pearce, who had 33 touches in the NAB Challenge win over Collingwood, has emerged from the pre-season noticeably stronger, having spent much of the summer in the gym. “On a personal note, I want to keep improving and I’ve been working hard on my skills,” he said.
“I’ve also been getting into the gym and working with Spinksy [Chris Spinks], our weights coach, and really getting stronger.”
The Power will be near full-strength when they tackle Fremantle at
Defender Jacob Surjan is a chance to resume from a rolled ankle, while Matt Thomas will face a test on his corked quad. Dean Brogan (abdominal strain) and Troy Chaplin (hand) are both still on track for the 2008 premiership season opener against
