Season preview - Port Adelaide

Essential information
Coach: Matthew Primus (2nd season)
2011 season: 3 wins, 19 losses (16th overall)

Player changes
In: Brendan Ah Chee, Nathan Blee, Brad Ebert (from West Coast), John McCarthy (Collingwood), Brent Renouf (Hawthorn), Chad Wingard
Out: Dean Brogan, Chad Cornes, Jason Davenport, Danny Meyer, Daniel Motlop, Marlon Motlop, Michael Pettigrew



Players to watch:
Robbie Gray: Following Daniel Motlop's departure, Gray will assume the mantle of most frustratingly gifted played at Port. Despite his best and most consistent season last year, it won't be long before Power fans are tearing their hair out as he switches effortlessly between the sublime and the ridiculous.
Justin Westhoff: In danger of losing his cult figure status with the arrival of another lanky shaggy haired player in John Butcher. Re-invented himself last season, switching between a supporting ruck role, forward and playing on the wing Richo style. Has the ability to rise beyond cult status, but maybe not the desire.

Questions to ask Port Adelaide supporters:

• What's with Port and sets of brothers?
• Is this your favourite version of the jumper? I liked these ones.

Questions not to ask:

• Are those teeth all yours?
• Anything about the 2007 Grand Final

Prediction: Avoiding the clubs first wooden spoon was the only saving grace for Port Adelaide in a disastrous season in which they were labelled 'uncompetitive' and won the dubious honour of being the first team to lose to the Gold Coast. In response, the Power have swung the axe at their list, removing a number of popular, if under performing veterans, and through some shrewd recruiting have landed some very handy established players who will bring immediate improvement to the side. Not enough to lift them out of the doldrums, but with the talent now on their list they should avoid the scrap to 'win' the spoon. Bottom four.