PORT Adelaide young guns Connor Rozee and Xavier Duursma have staked their claims for round-one debuts with eye-catching performances in the Power's intraclub trial at Alberton Oval on Friday.
Rozee was dynamic across half-forward, while Duursma's pace and ball use could hand him the wing spot that is up for grabs after Jared Polec's move to North Melbourne.
The Power's third top-20 draftee from last year, Zak Butters, also showed he would be in contention to play early in the season.
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Big-bodied midfielder Sam Powell-Pepper was arguably best on ground, former captain Travis Boak and Tom Rockliff – back to full fitness after a second shoulder reconstruction - found plenty of the ball and experienced midfielder Brad Ebert impressed in his new role as a deep forward, kicking three goals.
Recruits Scott Lycett and Ryan Burton were steady rather than standouts in their first run against their new teammates, but it was the youngsters who stole the show.
The Power need to inject some fresh blood if they are to make up for last year's disappointing end-of-season fade, losing six of their last seven games to miss the finals.
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Rozee – the fifth overall selection at last year's NAB AFL Draft – put on a clinic with his acceleration and clean hands.
A piece of play where he picked up the ball and spun past defender Dougal Howard in one motion was breathtaking.
Duursma's run and carry on the wing is exactly what the Power need if they are to adopt a more attacking game style this year.
Lycett was solid in the ruck against Billy Frampton and Peter Ladhams, while Burton didn't have a huge impact, spending time in the midfield and in his more customary half-back position.
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Another of the recruits, Brisbane utility Sam Mayes, was handy on a wing, while Jack Watts was quiet playing on the wing and half-forward.
Defender Matthew Broadbent got through unscathed in his first game back from a long-term ankle injury.
Paddy Ryder was dangerous up forward as a tall target and will be the focal point with key forward Charlie Dixon in doubt for the start of the season with a leg injury.
Young forward Todd Marshall worked well in tandem with Ryder, providing space for both to work along with Ebert.
Young midfielder Willem Drew was busy on the inside and Category B rookie Kai Pudney covered plenty of ground.
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Star forward Robbie Gray (knee soreness) was one of 10 players who didn't take to the field, along with Ollie Wines (shoulder), Dixon (leg), Hamish Hartlett (knee), Dan Houston (managed), Joe Atley (knee), Sam Hayes (knee), Riley Grundy (infection), Trent McKenzie (shoulder) and Kane Farrell (managed).
