Port Adelaide looks destined to lose superstar Zak Butters this trade period, but due to an unfortunate slate of injuries, the Power may have found a more-than-handy midfield option in Joe Richards.
The bottom-four Port Adelaide side had lost Zak Butters (ankle), Mitch Georgiades (concussion), Jason Horne-Francis (suspension) and more heading into its tough Round 19 fixture against ladder-leaders Fremantle.
Many expected a one-sided thrashing, but the Power produced an impressive and physical performance to push the premiership fancies to the finish line.
Port Adelaide would have lost no supporters for its effort in the 28-point loss on Saturday, and one player who increased his worth was Richards.
The slightly built half-forward was moved into the midfield in the absence of Butters and Horne-Francis, and he took the opportunity with both hands.
Richards collected 31 disposals, one goal, six clearances, eight tackles and 15 contested possessions to arguably be the Power's best.
Port Adelaide coach Josh Carr said Richards' move to on-ball has been tested throughout the season.
"(Richards') last eight to 10 weeks has been more as a mid than a forward," Carr said in the post-game press conference.
"There's been times where he starts out of the (forward) square but he is mainly around the footy. He has the speed from inside to out that helps any team and we are lucky to have him."
The 26-year-old's footwork and dynamic movement in traffic was brilliant, while his slick no-look handballs to teammates while under pressure were a feature.
No one aside from Collingwood's Nick Daicos or Western Bulldogs' Marcus Bontempelli could possibly lay claim to replace Butters in a like-for-like role. However, Richards showed coach Josh Carr against the Dockers that he was more than capable of playing a pivotal role in Port Adelaide's engine room in 2027 alongside Horne-Francis and injured captain Connor Rozee.
Richards was originally picked up by Collingwood out of Ovens and Murray League club Wangaratta in 2022.
After two seasons with the Pies, he made the move to Alberton, where he has become a consistent half-forward. But after Saturday's performance, the 177cm jet should lay claim to a midfield role for the rest of the season and into 2027.
