PORT ADELAIDE has identified a need to improve its fitness, leadership program and ball movement in order to arrest its slide from a grand final in 2007 to 12th this year.
The review of the football department was instigated after the 2008 campaign, which saw the club win an equal season-low seven games.
New chief executive Mark Haysman said the club would act immediately on rectifying the identified areas of concern.
"It's imperative we implement the outcomes, ideas, innovations and directions of the review now to give ourselves the best possible preparation for 2009," Haysman said.
"Through a thorough internal process and with external input from some highly respected AFL people we’re confident we’ve got some really useful information.
"There is no doubt we made some progress late in season 2008 and the challenge for us is to harness that and turn the information we have gleaned since into results."
The first act of the five-man review panel, which included senior coach Mark Williams, football operations manager Peter Rohde, board member Darryl Wakelin, inaugural chief executive Brian Cunningham and Adelaide dual premiership player David Pittman, was to secure the services of lauded Western Bulldogs fitness coach Cameron Falloon.
Port Adelaide lost previous fitness coach Darren Burgess to the Socceroos partway through last summer, with replacement Dan Comerford assuming the role in mid-January.
The issue of fitness was repeatedly raised during the season as the Power slumped in several embarrassing last quarters.
Falloon, who replaces the Brisbane-bound Comerford, has already vowed to toughen up the list, while the club is searching for a replacement for outgoing weights coach Kris Hinck, who has joined Fremantle.
"Our football department has already moved to address one of our key shortcomings via the appointment of our new head fitness coach, Cameron Falloon," Haysman said.
"And we will be adding to that appointment soon by finalising the recruitment of some equally innovative backroom staff with track records of success at other AFL clubs."
The Power have made 12 changes to their list and identify November's NAB AFL Draft as "critical".
They will start with their highest-ever pick at No. 4.
It was a tough season for Port Adelaide off the field too, with the club expected to announce its worst financial loss at an AGM on December 15.
Outgoing president Greg Boulton told the The Advertiser that the amount, which could exceed $1 million, as "significant, but manageable".
