Formed: 1870
Joined AFL: 1997
Premierships: 1 - 2004
Last finals appearance: 2005, first semi-final

2006 at a glance:
Depending on their vantage points, Port Adelaide supporters would have found a lot to either dislike or like about 2006. The dislike would have stemmed from the Power winning only two of their first eight games, losing six games in a row between Rounds 13 and 18 and finishing 12th with eight wins – a year after playing finals. The like, on the other hand, would have arisen from the encouraging development of young players like Danyle Pearce, the Rising Star award winner.

2007 to date:
At their best this year, the Power have proven capable of beating quality opposition – Fremantle at Subiaco, the Kangaroos, Collingwood and St Kilda. At its worst, Mark Williams’ side has succumbed meekly to Sydney, Geelong, Hawthorn and Carlton – in successive games. The run-in to the finals will no doubt determine which trait embodies the real Port Adelaide. Currently the Power sit at 7-5, in eighth spot on the ladder.

The coach:
Lions fans with long memories will recall Mark Williams from his days with the Brisbane Bears; the Port Adelaide mentor having headed north to end an AFL playing career that began with Collingwood. Those with shorter memories are also likely to be familiar with the feisty Williams, who coached Port to its only national competition grand final win to date against the Lions in 2004. He has a 59 per cent winning record in his eight-and-a-half years at the helm.

Missing in action:
The Power’s most conspicuous absentee will be the rapidly developing Steven Salopek, who is expected to miss up to two months with an ankle injury. Ex-Lion Tom Logan, along with Josh Mahoney, Daniel Motlop and Troy Chaplin, is listed for a fitness test.

The gun:
Already an All-Australian and Brownlow Medal placegetter, Chad Cornes looks to have added an extra dimension to his game in 2007. At 192cm and 96kg, the 27-year-old has key-position size and capabilities but, like Sydney’s Adam Goodes, has proved himself a very adept midfielder thus far this season. A fortnight ago he shut down red-hot Essendon veteran James Hird and only his younger brother Kane has amassed more possessions for the Power this year.

The bolter:
David Rodan’s career was well and truly at the crossroads when he was delisted by Richmond at the end of the 2006 season . But he hasn’t taken long to get it back on track with the Power. Selected with the last ‘live’ pick of last year’s National Draft, the small and elusive Fijian-born midfielder-forward has already contributed 44 tackles and a goal tally of 15.4 – including six hauls of two or more.

Strengths:
When on song, it appears the Power are capable of almost anything. They won after being 34 points down in the third quarter of the round-one clash with Fremantle in Perth, kicked the final five goals of the match to account for a tough Collingwood side in round four and had a previously in-form Essendon side trailing by 12 goals at half time in round 12. Both Cornes and Burgoyne brothers are stars, Brendon Lade might be the league’s best ruckman and there are plenty of forwards able to kick goals – Brett Ebert, first-year key-position type Justin Westhoff and this week’s NAB AFL Rising Star nominee Robert Gray.

Weaknesses:
Three years ago, Warren Tredrea was the game’s most complete forward. This year, aside from kicking four goals in his 200th game against Essendon in round 12, he has contributed little and looks a shade of his former self. The gap between Port’s best and worst is immense – how do you outslug Collingwood in the wet at the MCG, but get outpointed by Carlton in a shootout? The Power’s inconsistent form has seen a frustrated Williams publicly question the mental toughness of his troops.

The Queensland factor:
Aside from having an ex-Lion in Logan on the list, the Power have little connection to the Sunshine State. Mt Gravatt product Gavin Grose is rookie-listed.

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club