After reaching the penultimate week of the season last year, and falling just a kick short of a reaching the big dance for the first time since 2007, Port Adelaide appeared set to become a powerhouse in 2015. The wheels haven’t exactly fallen off, but the Power has clearly not had the season many envisaged following their stellar 2014 campaign. The momentum generated from Ken Hinkley’s first two years in charge has stagnated this year with Port Adelaide unable to qualify for September, despite a recent run of good form. They have won four of their last five games, including the best performance of their year at Etihad Stadium last Friday night where they defeated Hawthorn by 22 points in an effort that was a timely reminder of what they can produce. But also a source of pain given how their year has unfolded.
 
For a large chunk of 2015, Port Adelaide’s decision to play two ruckmen in Matthew Lobbe and Paddy Ryder had not produced the elevation in performance that many expected. In the last fortnight, Hinkley’s decision to play just Ryder and banish Lobbe to the SANFL, has paid dividends with the off-season acquisition finally finding the form that saw him emerge as one of the premier ruckmen in the game last year. A handful of former Port Adelaide greats and football analysts have pointed the finger at the club’s decision to play a sole ruckman in the last fortnight for the Power’s spike in form. The removal of a tall has provided Port Adelaide with an extra runner and more spark. The leg speed Hinkley’s side was renowned for in recent years appears to have slowly returned in recent times, although they have sorely missed Jared Polec on the outside this year and Matt White has struggled to follow up his electric 2014 campaign. With Jay Schulz missing this weekend's game with a back injury, Hinkley has recalled Lobbe, meaning Ryder will spend more time in attack once again. It will be interesting to see what ruck setup the Power go with in 2016 and beyond.
 
Port Adelaide’s midfield might be operating at less than its optimum force given the loss of Ollie Wines and Polec this year, as well as the early season retirement of Kane Cornes, but it still bats quite deep and is very even. Some sections of the media have been critical of Robbie Gray this year, but it is merely due to comparing his last two years. 2014 was a career year for Gray. He won his first John Cahill medal, the AFL Coaches Association Player of the Year and an All Australian guernsey. So it was always going to be difficult to back that up, but he has still been in the top bracket of midfielders in the game. Captain Travis Boak has been a picture of consistency, as has Brad Ebert and Hamish Hartlett. And then with Chad Wingard floating through the arcs the Power clearly have a plethora of class in their engine room. Since earning a recall in round 18, Sam Gray has had a big month in the seniors. Last Friday night, against the reigning premiers, the ball magnet collected 34 possessions and six inside 50s in the finest performance of his short career.

Key Players

If there was any doubt prior to last Friday night, Chad Wingard stamped himself as an All Australian, potentially for the second time in his four-year career following his brilliant season in 2013. Wingard has been a shining light during a tough season at Alberton. Team expectations have not been met this year, but Wingard has continued to stun the football world with his unbelievable, breath taking football prowess. With 51 goals for the year, the South Australian is equal fourth in the Coleman medal, behind runaway leader Josh Kennedy, Jeremy Cameron and Eddie Betts. Betts, the perennial goal sneak, will surely earn an All Australian berth in a pocket, but Luke Breust and Cyril Rioli also lay claims to a spot in the side. It looms as an intriguing decision for the selectors given the seasons enjoyed by some of the medium-sized forwards in the game this year. It hasn’t just been his goals and his ability to turn games on the their head, Wingard has found plenty of the ball, averaging 19.7 disposals and 3.6 inside 50s per game from 20 appearances. There aren’t many players in the game who leap off the page for pure star power, but Wingard is one of them.
 
2014 was a big year for Robbie Gray. In fact it was a massive year for the goal kicking midfielder. And whilst he hasn’t reached the heights of last season, his year has still been right out of the top drawer. After entrenching himself in the upper echelon of onballers in the competition last year, Gray has comfortably remained there this year. His pure numbers stack up next to his 2014 haul. He is averaging 26.5 disposals this year compared to 24.9 last year, 14.0 contested possessions to 11.9, 4.4 inside 50s to 3.2. On paper, it points to an even better year, but the difference has been his game altering ability. Last year he won games off his own boot, turning matches in the space of five minutes. This year, much like his team, he has been unable to influence games in the same vein. Last year he booted 42.33 and had 56 scoring assists. This year he has kicked 22.9 and had 35 scoring assists. Much like Wingard, Gray is the definition of class. He poses an enormous headache for Rodney Eade given his ability to push forward and impact the scoreboard.
 
Jack Hombsch looms as one of the greatest players to pass through Greater Western Sydney’s hands. The Port Adelaide key defender has developed into one of the premier young key defenders in the competition in the last two years, emerging as the future of the Power’s back six, a general who can play on the opposition’s monster. The 22-year-old has played every game in the last two years, whilst Tom Jonas, Alipate Carlile and Jackson Trengove have missed due to various reasons. Hombsch’s one-on-one ability is his strength, but he also has no trouble finding the ball himself and setting up attack from defence. The Power have been under siege in defence at times this year, conceding the 12th most points for per week. But despite this, Hombsch has continued his emergence as one of the best young key defenders in the game, alongside Daniel Talia, Steven May and Jeremy McGovern.