1. Warren Tredrea: Tredrea made his long-awaited return from knee surgery in the Showdown with Adelaide in round three. Tredders kicked 13 goals in the first half of the season, including a bag of four in his 200th AFL game. The proud skipper wasn't expected to reach anywhere near peak form until after the break and as a true champion of the game will only get better with time.
4. Daniel Motlop: Motlop was determined to start the season with a bang after missing 11 games in 2006 through injury. The crafty forward got his wish with a three-goal first quarter against Freo before going over on his ankle. Motlop worked hard to return to the side and looked promising with six goals in three weeks, but disaster struck again and a bump from Brad Ottens left the forward nursing a broken collarbone. Motlop adds class to the Port Adelaide attack and will be desperate to consolidate a spot in the latter half of the year.
17. Robbie Gray: There is no other word for this kid than "wow". At just 19 years of age Gray showed poise equal to some of the league's elite to kick six goals in his first three games. Gray was amongst the Power's best against Carlton and continued to impress with four magical goals against Essendon. The classy Victorian is skilled by both hand and foot and knows how to find all-important time and space.
22. Josh Mahoney: After missing round one Mahoney bounced back with a couple of two-goal performances against the Kangaroos and Magpies. Mahoney played seven games before being sent back to Glenelg to rediscover his goalkicking form of 2006. As one of the Power's most instrumental leaders, Mahoney will be determined to perform well for the Bays and get back into the Port Adelaide line-up.
24. Damon White: White continued on from his dominant pre-season form with a three-goal game against Freo in round one. The hard running forward played each of the opening 12 games kicking a total of 10 goals. White starred with 21 possessions, 11 marks and 2.4 in the win over Richmond and will benefit from the newfound freedom created by the strong forward presence of Justin Westhoff.
29. Nathan Krakouer: Weighing in at 66 kilos on arrival at Port Adelaide, Krakouer was expected to take several years to develop a body suitable for AFL. But like his uncanny ability to do the unexpected, Krakouer surprised everybody over the pre-season to earn a round two debut. The lightning quick forward kicked four goals in eight games and demonstrated his superb foot skills with pinpoint passes into the forward line. Krakouer will look forward to pressing for more AFL action with consistent form in the SANFL.
33: Brett Ebert: Ebo stepped up a level this season with 25 goals in 12 games to lead the Power's goalkicking. The small forward has great versatility with good speed, strong hands and a raking left foot. With Warren Tredrea taking time to find consistent form Ebert has been the Power's go-to man up forward. The 23-year-old is now comfortable enough in his position to provide leadership for his younger teammates and will be looking for his first goalkicking honour at the Power.
34. Adam Cockshell: Another draftee who showed enough pre-season to earn an AFL debut. Cockshell got a taste of footy at the highest level in round two against the Kangaroos but played the remainder of the first-half of the season for SANFL club Norwood. At just 20 years of age and a solid 198cm, 98kg Cockshell has the ability to develop into a key forward in years to come.
39. Justin Westhoff: At 199cm, Westhoff has the athleticism and smarts of a midfielder. After being named as an emergency on several occasions Westhoff burst on to the AFL scene with three goals against the Hawks in round 10. The agile big man has played both games since for a total of nine goals. The former Centrals junior is deceptively quick and with some added bulk is a mouth-watering prospect for the future.
41. Greg Bentley: Bentley impressed coaching staff in his four AFL games last season and was rewarded with a place in eight of the 12 games this year. Playing across both half-forward and half-back Bentley was amongst the Power's best in the loss to Geelong. Unlucky to be left out of the side in the past two weeks, Bentley continued to impress with incredible poise, skill and decision making for SANFL club Sturt. With another good game or two Bentley will be in a strong position to earn an AFL recall.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
