Port Adelaide Preview 2026

Just to prove I’m not biased, I said I’d write the Port Preview as well as the Crows one. I know talent when I see it, no matter what club they’re playing for and it’s important to remember that if you want to do well, emotion must take a back seat.

Pick with your head, not your heart, no matter how bad it hurts.

Port Adelaide in 2025 were disappointing in overall results and ladder position, however they had some of the most exciting GameDay Squad scorers for the year.

I believe these players will have a huge impact on the 2026 season and with some of the positional changes in their favour, I feel like Port Adelaide will be a team to keep an eye on in the preseason, to see what stats and GDS potential scores we’re looking at from the lads.

The GDS Anchors

Connor Rozee

Defender (formally Midfielder) – 2025 average 125.33 from 22 games

In 2025, he was listed as a midfielder, but most of his points came when he was running from that defensive line, being that player that forced turnovers and

·         Goals- 11

·         Kicks - 378

·         Handballs- 199

·         Marks- 102

·         Tackles- 79

·         Frees for- 28

·         Frees against- 22

In 2026, I expect Rozee to still kick goals and even as a defender, still get some midfield time. He will have the run from the back line, where he will continue to generate play and becoming that link up player gaining extra kicks and handballs.

It’s going to be a good year for GDS Coaches that put faith in Rozee. I expect his average to go up, which is handy, especially for the fact he’ll be scoring them for your team in the defender role!

Zak Butters

Midfielder – 2025 average 116.35 from 20 games.

I am not alone when I say I was excited for this guy to return from injury. While Port had an average season, Butters played in my opinion, close to his best, but even an ‘average’ Butters is outstanding.

·         Goals- 1

·         Kicks - 272

·         Handballs- 287

·         Marks- 71

·         Tackles- 102

·         Frees for- 40

·         Frees against- 22

While the goal scoring was low in 2025, I expect that to get much higher in 2026. (5+ easily). With the extra feed through the midfield, I'm hoping to see Butters on the end of a few more goals. His frees for and frees against ratio is positive, remembering you lose points for giving away a free kick.

What’s new in 2026?

Player	2025 Position	2026 Position
Connor Rozee	Midfielder	Defender

Rozee to defender HUGE! Freeing up that midfielder score for a defender slot, yes please! I expect Rozee to keep up his form and in fact, I expect he will see an increase in average. Though not huge, I put him around the 130-135 mark for the year. With this change Rozee will be an anchor each week!

Player	2025 Position	2026 Position
Ivan Soldo***	Ruck	Forward
Jacob Wehr	Midfielder	Defender
Jase Burgoyne	Midfielder	Defender
Tom Cochrane**	Midfielder	Forward

Look, I don’t normally rate Soldo, but having that ruck/forward position, could he be the next Luke Jackon? Probably not, but someone must be, right? I just don’t see him being a relevant player in 2026, just like he wasn’t in 2025 with a score of 30 in his only game.

*** I started writing this before he did his ACL, my horror predictions continue. He won’t be a relevant player for 2026, Sorry Ivan…. ☹ ***

With Jacob Wehr and Jase Burgoyne, while the midfielder to defender change is a positive one, I honestly don't think it will impact your GDS scores. 2025 saw Wehr average 62.14 from 20 games and 86.40 for Burgoyne from 20 also. If it was a 50/50, I’d personally go with Burgoyne.

Tom Cochrane** if he can stay fit , going from Midfielder to forward, will be a positive change, especially for that under 22 comp. While still new to the AFL, he is a talented player who with time will gain more relevance. Tom averaged just 37 in 2025 but has the room and talent to grow. I just need to see more.

Player	2025 Position	2026 Position
Jackson Mead	Forward	Midfielder
Jason Horne-Francis	Forward	Midfielder

I would say these are not a favourable positional change. For me, this change makes these players too much of a risk. They’ll only be in my side absolutely needed or looking for a PoD.

Even then, I’d only go with Jason Horne-Francis. The player pool for Midfielders is just too strong this year, and it’d be more than a risky pick, it’d be tanking.   

New 2026 Signings

Will Brodie (trade, Fremantle), Corey Durdin (trade, Carlton), Jack Watkins (Rookie Draft), Jacob Wehr (free agent, Greater Western Sydney)

Departed Players

Rory Atkins (retired), Travis Boak (retired), Ryan Burton (delisted), Lachlan Charleson (delisted), Jeremy Finlayson (delisted), Hugh Jackson (delisted), Jed McEntee (delisted), Willie Rioli jnr (retired), Dylan Williams (delisted)

2026 GDS Position Changes

Player	Club	2025 Position	2026 Position
Connor Rozee	Port Adelaide	Midfielder	Defender
Ivan Soldo	Port Adelaide	Ruck	Forward
Jackson Mead	Port Adelaide	Forward	Midfielder
Jacob Wehr	Port Adelaide	Midfielder	Defender
Jase Burgoyne	Port Adelaide	Midfielder	Defender
Jason Horne-Francis	Port Adelaide	Forward	Midfielder
Tom Cochrane	Port Adelaide	Midfielder	Forward

Dynasty Strengths

Who are the New Draftees at Port for 2026 wait no one? Okay!

During the draft, Port elected to pass. An interesting strategy, but keep in mind they did bring Harrison Ramm, Ewan Mackinlay and Mani Liddy in during the midseason draft.

Ramm at 202cm is a tall defender who will be another intercept marker for Port in the future.

Port have had a horror run with injuries, especially with their defenders. Ramm, who only managed 1 game last season, did score 40 GDS points from 5 kicks 4 marks and 2 tackles.

That’s 100% kicking! I feel like if this guy gets more game time, he’ll be a pretty decent intercept marker and could be a nice addition to the under 22 sides. He is entering 2026 as a 19 year old; he’s one to watch.

Ewan Mackinlay is a midfielder, who scored 90 in his only game with 12 kicks, 3 handballs and 4 tackles and a goal, with a free kick for and against. While not a mind-blowing score, it was his debut game, so I’d say it was pretty good. A PoD Pick for some of the specialty comps, but unfortunately, he doesn’t qualify for our under 22 sides.

Anyone who watched a Port game in the second half of 2025 would know the story of Manni Liddy and the trauma he faced getting into the AFL. But for those who don’t, here's a super-fast recap. He was kicked in the knee, and a sprig broke the skin and caused an infection and almost costing him his leg. This is why he’s often called ‘The sleeve guy’ because, well, he wears a protective sleeve on the leg. Mani managed to play 9 matches in 2025 only averaging 68.14 but I expect to see the average grow with his confidence.

Under 22 Eligable Players

Name	Position	Team
Harrison Ramm	DEF	Port Adelaide
Benny Barrett	MID	Port Adelaide
Christian Moraes	MID	Port Adelaide
Jack Whitlock	FWD	Port Adelaide
Jacob Moss	DEF	Port Adelaide
Joe Berry	FWD	Port Adelaide
Josh Lai	MID	Port Adelaide
Logan Evans	DEF	Port Adelaide
Tom Anastasopolous	FWD	Port Adelaide
Tom Cochrane	FWD	Port Adelaide
Will Lorenz	MID	Port Adelaide
Xavier Walsh	FWD	Port Adelaide

Fixtures and scoring Profile

Dubbed "the green mile", Port have one of the most fantasy friendly starts to the season in recent memory! Just be careful not to read into the scoring too much as you may get a rude awakening once the tougher fixtures start coming in!

Byes rounds: 0 + 12

First 5 Fixtures: Bye, North Melbourne, Essendon, West Coast, Richmond

PODs and Breakout Potential 

Who is tempting fate for a big year in 2026?

Looking past the superstars can be hard, I mean sometimes it’s beyond our control. Injuries, Bye weeks, somehow a gun players team doesn’t make the final… you get it. So, this is where PoD picks really make or break the round.

Looking at Port's list, I see talent and with a welcome change of coaching I feel like this may be the year we see a lot more out of selected players.

In 2026 I expect big things from:

Miles Bergman 

To be honest, half the time I’m questioning whether it’s Bergman or Horne-Frances, however quite often it is Bergman making the magic happen. Averaging 92.47 in 2026, he loves to kick the ball, with 232 kicks to 105 handballs. Those extra GDS points coming your way.

Jordan Sweet

With the new ruck changes, I see an improvement on Sweet’s stats. In 2025 he averaged 89.89. I see this improving by about 10, as he will pick up points around the ground and kicking a few more goals.

The injury to Soldo does open the chance for Dante Visentini to gain game experience, but unfortunately, he is just ineligible for the under 22 squads. Although he only averaged 60.38 in 2025, with more opportunities, he will see an increase in his overall average, I just can’t be sure how much.

Risky Picks

SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO…. Risk it for the biscuit. 

Mitch Georgiades

When he’s flying, he’s flying…. But with this gamble you must be willing to chance the under 70’s to reap the 80+’s. I am worried that he’ll be the main forward and therefore will end up with the best defender. Averaging 83.83 for the 2025 season, I see improvement in the average, but nothing too crazy maybe around 5–10-point average increase.

Jason Horne-Frances

Being listed in the midfield for GameDay Squad this year, I feel it’s quite a risk to pick JHF. There’s a huge amount of talent fighting for those midfield spots and while JHF may get some big scores, the consistency wont be there.

When fit, I see him being tagged more, because let’s be real, it’ll annoy him and JHF is quite an emotional player. Averaging 99.97 in 2025 as a forward, with a bit of Midfield time isn’t a terrible result, but I will need to see that average bumped up to around 110-115 before he comes into consideration for me.

Final Word

Port has a pretty easy (on paper and compared to last year’s) start to the season. It will be all eyes on the first few rounds because if Port do not come out of the first four games with at least two wins, it is going to be a rough season.

While I’m not sure the ladder position will improve that much (Sorry Cal), you can expect a decent score from some of their key players highlighted above. If you manage to nail the 50/50 picks, especially as a PoD, you will have a good chance of climbing those ranks.

Under Josh Carr I do expect to see some more fight in Port, he has not been shy about the coaching changes to expect.

Anyone I am missing above?

Who do you think the highest average holder will be for Port this season? Butters or Rozee?

Now, I am going to sign off before any more players get injured.