Despite heading into Ken Hinkley’s fourth preliminary final with a mountain of hope, the Power have once again agonisingly crashed out of the premiership race in September – this time with a six-goal loss to Sydney at the SCG.
An under-fire veteran stood up as best as he could, while some future guns failed to have any impact on a night to now forget.
Every Port Adelaide player rated from the First Preliminary Final against Sydney.
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Prickly Papley GIVES IT to Port | 00:50
1. Connor Rozee
Similar to last week, didn’t have a plethora of the ball but was ultra-effective with it in hand. Kicked a belting goal in the second quarter in a true captain’s play, but like many teammates, turned the ball over too much in the first half when the game was on the line. Launched his second major of the match with half a quarter to go in a last-ditch attempt to get his side up and about. 6
3. Ryan Burton
Kicked Port’s much-needed second goal for the night. Led Port’s disposal count (23) alongside Horne-Francis and was one of their better ball users across half back. One of the few that can be content with their output, but like manny, turned the ball over at times when the game was on the line. 6
7. Jase Burgoyne
Kicked the first goal of the game courtesy of an off-the-ball free kick which gave the visitors the perfect start. Turned the ball over three times before half time, which really hurt given how well the Swans converted going inside forward 50. Cleaned up his game in the second half though and was solid after the main break. 6
8. Josh Sinn
Operated effectively with ball in hand but wasn’t sighted a whole lot until the final quarter. Will be better for the experience after a solid week last Friday against Hawthorn. 4
9. Zak Butters
Wasn’t as effective as he’d like with ball in hand to begin the game, but gets credit for taking a couple of hard hits like a champ. Lit up through the middle of the third term in the middle of the ground, but didn’t have a whole lot of help. Finished with 20 disposals, at 60 per cent efficiency and six turnovers in a mixed night for the star. 5
10. Travis Boak
Had a turnover to forget six minutes into the clash, chipping into the corridor only to directly turn the ball over for a goal to his direct opponent Jake Lloyd. Found plenty of the ball afterwards, but had another bad direct turnover on the eve of three-quarter time where Chad Warner kicked truly. Kicked a goal with 11 and a half minutes to play, but has been rated harshly given the impact of his turnovers. Will he play on in 2025? 5
14. Miles Bergman
Wasn’t as prolific as he has been in the previous two finals this year, but wasn’t awful. Frustratingly gave away two free kicks in the second quarter. Not a night for many of Port’s defenders. 4
15. Willie Rioli
Kicked a much-needed goal with just under three minutes to go in the first half with some excellence. Looked lively when the ball was nearby but didn’t get as good a chance to shine as he did last week. Probably should’ve kicked more than his one. 4
16. Ollie Wines
Was his ever-reliable self around the ball, and made the Swans hurt at times in the first half on turnover. Would’ve loved to have converted his three behinds into three majors, and while he was steady, should’ve had more of an impact by the time the final siren sounded. 5
18. Jason Horne-Francis
Had three inside 50s in the first nine minutes in a red-hot start. Was consistently targeted by the Swans all night, and looked dangerous as always. Led his side for contested possessions (13) as well as disposals, and tried his heart out all night. Hard to give a Power midfielder more than a six given how well the Swans played. 6
19. Mitch Georgiades
Didn’t have much of the ball to start the match but applied tackling pressure well when the ball was inside his forward 50. Kicked his first of the night halfway through the third quarter. Had six turnovers from his eight disposals and needed to channel his output from last week’s final quarter against Hawthorn. 3
21. Aliir Aliir
Started very strongly and held down the fort the best he could alongside Bergman in the first term. Staggeringly, had 14 intercept possessions from his 15 disposals – a wild return. “Aliir was the only Power player that was a stone in their (Sydney’s) shoe all night,” dual Kangaroos premiership player David King said on Fox Footy post-game. Wasn’t a totally perfect performance, but was close to as good as possible given the result. 8
22. Charlie Dixon
The stat sheet didn’t show it, but Dixon’s efforts in contest were commendable during the first half – and he was notably better than his qualifying final against the Cats. Kicked his first goal in three games with five minutes to play in the third term in a quarter where he tried his heart out. A lot of Power fans won’t give him the credit he deserves from tonight, but he didn’t leave much out on the park. Finished with 12 disposals and four clearances. 6
24. Jordon Sweet
Had Grundy on toast in the first half of the game, and again managed to find himself effective around the ground. “I actually think Sweety is taking the points here (over Grundy)… in the middle of the ground, Sweet is doing his job,” Hawthorn legend Dermott Brereton said at half time on Fox Footy. Grundy probably had the better of him in the second half, but the former Dog had a strong finish to his 2024 season. 6
25. Brandon Zerk-Thatcher
Went statless in the first quarter, but was unlucky to not be awarded an intercept mark higher up the ground. Beyond that though, was soundly beaten down back. Looked a totally different player to last week against Hawthorn. All his disposals were intercepts, but a night to forget for the former Don. 3
27. Esava Ratugolea
Had small bursts of life in the first half, but was beaten well by Tom McCartin. Was swung down back in the last quarter, and had a free kick for insufficient intent wrongly given against him late that summed up Port Adelaide’s night. Three disposals and one behind doesn’t cut it as a key tall on the big stage. 2
28. Willem Drew
Started excellently as him and Heeney went head-to-head to begin the match, but Heeney gained the upper hand as the game went on. Was involved enough through scoring chains, but was beaten convincingly by the Swans superstar. Has otherwise had a very good 2024 season. 4
31. Francis Evans
Came out of last week’s starting 22 to become tonight’s sub. Finished with two disposals from 28 per cent game time in a finals series to forget. N/A
33. Darcy Byrne-Jones
Was barely sighted by half time, with just one 50 metre kick next to his name. Was involved during the third quarter before disappearing again in the last term. Was excellent last week, but like several other teammates, unrecognisable tonight. 3
34. Lachie Jones
Matched up on Papley for most of the night, but wasn’t directly responsible for all of his goals. Night to forget down back, and his job was made very hard for a multitude of reasons. 3
42. Quinton Narkle
Got involved in Port’s scores early, but only ran one way. Needed to bring a far greater level of pressure on the ball carriers out of defensive 50, which Port so dearly missed. Ended with four score involvements from his seven disposals in a small win. 3
43. Logan Evans
Went missing most of the nigh, and was totally statless in the second quarter. Lots of positives for him coming out of this year, but tonight was not one of them. 2
44. Jackson Mead
Went without a disposal in the first quarter, before getting more involved in the second. Subbed out in the third quarter to finish with five disposals and two intercept possessions. 3
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