2022 Numbers:
Points Against (Brennan Jakovich Shield): 1638 - 5th
Inside 50's Against Per Goal: 4.73 - 3rd
Scarlett Silvagni Medal Votes: 16 - 15th
Defenders:
Keys: Aliir Aliir, Tom Clurey, Tom Jonas, Kyle Marshall, Trent McKenzie, Jake Pasini
General: Riley Bonner, Jase Burgoyne, Ryan Burton, Darcy Byrne-Jones, Dan Houston, Lachie Jones, Tom McCallum
In: Kyle Marshall
Out: Martin Frederick (delisted), Sam Mayes (delisted), Sam Skinner (delisted)
Ah, Port Adelaide.
A team that not only massively underperformed last season, but also one of the most underrated backlines in the competition.
Home to another of the AFL's 9 defender captains, Tom Jonas leads a quality backline backed up by fellow keys in Cleary and Aliir.
One of the best performed backlines in the competition in 2022 by the metrics of being hard to score against once getting inside 50, and also in terms of overall points against.
After losing their first five games in 2022, Port went on to win 10 of the remaining 17 games, and miss out on finals, but not without giving quality sides a scare along the way.
Aliir and Clurey looked ready to go in the pre-season match, and the players who left the backline shouldn't have too much of an impact on the best 22, the only real surprise being the delisting of Martin Frederick.
Port Adelaide will be expecting to make finals this year, and can look to make a statement with their home game against Brisbane in round one.
Port will be expecting big seasons from Darcy Byrne-Jones and Dan Houston, and will be hoping for improvement from young gun Lachie Jones.
After a series of almost-made-its, without so much as a grand final appearance to show for it, you really feel like if Port don't at least make finals in 2023, Ken Hinkley's position comes under a lot of scrutiny.
Back Pocket Rating: B