The shift in modern-day football has meant that the reliance on particular roles on the ground have changed with it. Gone are the days where your key forwards were vying for 100 goals in a season, or your ruckmen could be a one-dimensional hitout aficionado, or where half-back flankers were regarded as midfielders that didn't make the chop.
In fact, the half-back flank has entered the realms of supremacy in football, especially when launching attacks on opposition backlines. A short trip in history will show you the importance of damaging, efficient kickers in these positions.
Dayne Zorko's shift to the backline redefined Brisbane's attack in their 2024 premiership season, Collingwood ace Nick Daicos' surgical kicking and run and dash shifted tags off midfielders onto him, and even Geelong's premiership tilt in 2022 saw them invest in the duo of Tom Stewart and his aerial prowess and Mitch Duncan and his excellent decision-making.
While half-backs may not be the names you typically see up in lights, they are the top of the footy kingdom when building an elite attack.
The void left by Dan Houston at Port Adelaide will be one that needs to be immediately addressed. The Power were aware of this in their pursuits of Harry Perryman and Isaac Cumming. Unfortunately, both chose rival clubs, leaving the Power to look inwards.
Three names stand out as likely candidates to replace the two-time All-Australian, so let's investigate what they provide for Port Adelaide.
Kane Farrell
Not a household name for those living outside of South Australia, yet Kane Farrell possesses a devastating kick.
Drafted with Pick 51 in the National Draft in 2017, it wasn't until 2022 when Farrell appeared in 16 games for Port Adelaide that he began to solidify his spot in their best 22.
He would back that season up with 22 games in 2023 and another 22 games in 2024. On the eve of finals, Farrell suffered a hamstring injury that ruled him out for six weeks and his presence was sorely missed. Farrell was Robin to Houston's Batman, and in some ways outshone him.
In 2024, the Bendigo Pioneers product was ranked ninth in the AFL for metres gained per game with 499m and a near 3:1 kick-to-handball ratio. He was doing all this while hitting out a target 81.7% of the time by foot, three points above the AFL average.
If the 25-year-old wasn't on your footy radar in 2024, he certainly will be in 2025.
Jase Burgoyne
Despite only being 36 games into his career, Jase Burgoyne has started to show he'll live up to a famous name. The smooth-moving, long-haired winger established himself in 2024 and was able to play 23 matches - a huge jump from the five and eight matches in the two years prior.
Everything about his game oozes with silk, even if the numbers haven't quite matched that just yet. In fact, not a lot statistically suggests he's the man for the job at this stage in time. Consider his inclusion here as passing the eye test and a belief that he can build off the momentum of 2024.
Averages of 18.1 disposals at 75.5% efficiency don't scream star, but it is important to remember that he was playing one of the toughest positions in football - the wing - and has yet to reach even 50 games.
It's not unreasonable to suggest that he is capable of settling in at half-back and reinventing Port Adelaide's attack from the back. The only person in his way may be himself; as he has stated he prefers to play the wing and hopes to spend 2025 there.
The ball is in your court then, Ken.
Darcy Byrne-Jones
It's been a couple of seasons now since Darcy Byrne-Jones occupied a space in the Power's backline, however, it doesn't make him incapable.
Let's not forget that it was only a short while ago - 2020 - when he made his lone All-Australian appearance as a half-backer. Unfortunately, what made the former Oakleigh Charger garner such honours is not what Port Adelaide are losing in Houston.
Referencing his All-Australian year, the defender-turned-forward had a kicking efficiency of just 62.7% and an overall disposal efficiency of just 70%. Dropping from Houston's 81.5% kicking efficiency to that might be unacceptable for a team with premiership aspirations. Nor is his career 257 metres gained per game.
This isn't to say that he has no place in the Power backline, but rather this role is not in the club's best interest or would harness his best skills.
An honourable mention for this role is Josh Sinn. The 21-year-old has only just eclipsed 10 games but has been viewed internally as someone who could play across the half-back line since his draft year. If Port Adelaide take a measured approach and look to get more games into their youngsters, there is no reason the 187cm defender couldn't be the answer.
Second-year flanker Logan Evans is another in the youth of his career who could be considered to step up in 2025.ย
Looking across the data, all arrows are pointing towards Kane Farrell being the man to step up. A current injury setback may derail this momentarily but at age 25 and nearing his 100th game, Farrell is set to enter his prime at just the right time for himself and the football club.ย