What's in their favour? A young list with plenty of scope for continued improvement now has finals experience under its belt and the added motivation of a grand final humiliation to spur it on. Canny coach Mark Williams has the ability to extract the best from even his youngest charges quickly, meaning the likes of Jacob Surjan, Steven Salopek, Troy Chaplin and Michael Pettigrew can be expected to climb another rung this year, and 2007 debutants Justin Westhoff, Robert Gray, Travis Boak and Nathan Krakouer avoid the second-year blues.
What's not? The Power had a favourable run with injuries last season and a change of luck in the medical room would leave it far more vulnerable than in 2007. Port cornerstones Brendon Lade and Warren Tredrea are another year older and have another long season to withstand. The retirement of full-back Darryl Wakelin leaves an already raw and relatively inexperienced backline even greener, with more responsibility thrust on Chaplin and Toby Thurstans. At 31 years old, Michael Wilson also raises questions as to whether he has the capacity to return from a serious Achilles injury.
Stepping into the spotlight? Westhoff made a major impression with 34 goals from 16 games up forward last season and has the ability to withstand the greater attention he will clearly be afforded. Gray sparkled in five games as a small forward before injury and could play a midfield role now. High draft pick Boak looked right at home at wing and half-back and will spend more time in the engine room, and Krakouer showed flashes of brilliance in his 11 games, offering pace and goal sense, and will be better and stronger for another pre-season.
In their wildest dreams? Though last year's runner-up is the subject of much scepticism still from the cynics who believe the Power got to a grand final ahead of their time, there's no reason Williams' team shouldn't be aspiring to a premiership. Quick, skilful and with a real X factor provided by youthful brilliance, Port is the real deal.
The reality? As healthy as Port's long-term playing future is, the unpredictability of youth will still perhaps cause the Power a few more ups and downs than the older, steadier heads at Geelong or Collingwood. Reaching another play-off for a flag would be a great effort, but Port, at the very least, should again be a finalist.
ROBERT WALLS 7th Port was good last year, but not good enough to be in a grand final. The breaks all went their way so they got there only to be smashed. With a good coach, a dozen games at AAMI Stadium and class in the Cornes and Burgoynes surrounded by fast legs in the midfield, expect September action.
ROHAN CONNOLLY 7th Supposedly lucky to reach a grand final, the Power are still underrated, a collection of genuine stars and emerging ones welded together admirably by Mark Williams and with a penchant for flair and unpredictability which is a big weapon. Will challenge again.
