Team: PORT ADELAIDE

Ins: John Butcher (Gippsland Power), Andrew Moore (Eastern Ranges), Jasper McMillan-Pittard (Geelong Falcons), Daniel Stewart (promoted rookie), Wade Thompson (promoted rookie), Jay Schulz (Richmond), Jay Nash (Essendon). Rookies - Cameron Hitchcock (Glenelg), Daniel Webb (West Adelaide), Cameron Cloke (Carlton), Glenn Dawson (Port Adelaide), Daniel Bass, Jordan Johns (Broken Hill)

Outs: Shaun Burgoyne (Hawthorn), Brendon Lade (retired), Peter Burgoyne (retired), Toby Thurstans (retired), Nick Lower (delisted), Jonathan Giles (delisted), Matthew Martin (delisted), Jesse Laurie (delisted), Mitch Farmer (Richmond), Glenn Dawson (delisted)

Draw: The Power can be pleased with their fixtures for season 2010. Port Adelaide will only face reigning Premier Geelong once, while of season 2009's top four, St Kilda will be the only side it meets twice. In fact of the seven teams the Power takes on twice, St Kilda (first) and Adelaide (fifth) are the only sides that made the top eight. North Melbourne (13th), West Coast (11th), Melbourne (16th), Richmond (15th) and Hawthorn (ninth) are the other teams that will play the Power on two occasions during season 2010.
Port Adelaide will open its campaign at AAMI Stadium against North Melbourne followed by West Coast at Subiaco. Round three sees the beginning of a tough run of games for the Power as they meets six of last season's top eight including Geelong and St Kilda back-to-back.
Provided it can get through the first half of the season and remain in touch with the pace-setters, the Power will like its chances of a finals berth.

Strengths: Port Adelaide has recruited well for season 2010 with some key positions likely to be filled. Jay Schulz, brought in from Richmond, appears to strengthen the forward line with ex-Carlton bigman Cameron Cloke also likely to feature in the forward line as another big target man, as well as helping out with rucking duties. Warren Tredrea is set for a big season in the twilight of his career. Daniel Motlop has recovered from an injury-plagued second half of last season and provided the magician can stay fit and focussed, will add flair and valuable goals to the Power's forward line. Brett Ebert will look for more consistency this year and a return to the form that has seen him creep into fifth on Port Adelaide's all time goal-kicking list. Robbie Gray and Justin Westhoff both were solid contributors last year in Port's attack and will be hard to contain if they're both firing.

Weaknesses: Port Adelaide has developed a reputation for its unique playing style, but it was put under the microscope and attracted much scrutiny last year. The Power's inconsistent 2009 season saw them play some good football when leading, but some shocking displays when they fell behind. Any sign of bullying and harassment saw the Power almost lay down for their opponents and the lack of hard ball getters and match winners was clearly evident. Port Adelaide will hope to rectify that in season 2010 with some of last season's second tier players looking to step out. Questions will also be raised over who will partner Dean Brogan in the ruck and whether they will be competitive. The front runners for the second ruck mantle are Cloke and Matthew Lobbe.

X-Factor: Port will need its classiest players at their peak for the Power to improve on last season. 2009 revelation David Rodan will miss the first part of the season but is a proven match-winner when he is fit. If he returns earlier than anticipated it will provide a huge boost to the Power's finals aspirations. Another proven match-winner will also need to be firing if Port is to make an impact in 2010. Daniel Motlop endured an inconsistent 2009, plagued by injury and indifferent form. When he's hot though, he's capable of producing anything.

Best 22:
B: Carlile, Chaplin, Surjan
HB: Krakouer, C. Cornes, Salopek
C: Boak, Rodan, Pearce
HF: Gray, Tredrea, Westhoff
F: Ebert, Motlop, Shulz
R: Brogan, K. Cornes, Cassisi
IC: Cloke, Hartlett, Davenport, Thomas

After Round 22: 12th. The Power will want to atone for a disappointing and hugely criticised 2009. Port Adelaide's form in the NAB Cup, making it to the semi-final before being bundled out in the last minute at the hands of the Bulldogs, suggest that 2010 will be different. It appears the tenacity and intensity has returned to the squad with the injection of some youth and nifty recruits. The Power have the team to challenge for a finals berth, but Sportal's experts predict another disappointing season.