Port Adelaide head coach Ken Hinkley has strongly hinted that his defence will look different in 2024 after several players requested trades to the Power within the past fortnight.
Hinkley's comments come after the Power were pressured out of the finals race in straight sets, having conceded 216 points across the course of the finals.
The damage sustained could have been far worse, however, with the Giants converting just 46 per cent of their 28 scoring shots into goals.
Speaking in the wake of his 7th finals loss in 12 attempts, Hinkley claimed that Port's defence wasn't up to standard during the Saturday night defeat on home turf, also stating that he expected the barbs to come.
"We learned through the finals that defensively we weren't strong enough as a collective,"
"Defence is not just the back six; it's the whole team. We weren't strong enough. Everyone points that out really clearly. We're aware, it's not like we're ignorant to it. We've always spent a lot of time on our team defence, and we'll look to improve."
This improvement appears likely to come in the former of Brandon Zerk-Thatcher and Esava Ratugolea, after both defenders pressed their desire to join the Power for the 2024 season.
Backup Bulldogs ruckman Jordan Sweet joined the defensive duo in requesting a trade, with the North Adelaide product eyeing a return to the City of Churches during October's exchange period.
While Hinkley was unwilling to speak directly to these requests, the contracted coach did state that Port's defensive complexion would no doubt be changing in the wake of the loss.
"We never sit still," Hinkley said matter of factly.
"Whether that's offence, defence, contest, stoppage, we don't sit still, because if you do, you get passed, and we need to keep moving forward.
"That will mean game style, we will look at, adjust and tinker with, and it will also mean personnel ... Tom Jonas retires tonight.
"You always have to move with the times; football doesn't sit still for anyone."
At present, Port Adelaide's list boss Jason Cripps is currently armed with picks 37, 43, 72 and 90 at the 2023 AFL Draft in order to complete potential trades with both Essendon and Geelong.
