Securing Dougie Cochrane has become the easy part now for Port Adelaide, which has done the work to put themselves in a position to comfortably match a bid.
Cochrane was injured for much of the year but remains the expected Pick 1, with Essendon stating last month it views him as the best player in the crop.
Beyond Cochrane, there are others the Power will look to add as they look to create a list that can compete in the long term, aware they have first-round talents Louis Salopek and Zemes Pilot coming next year.
Draft Picks: 7, 12, 22, 24, 34, 46, 65, 101
While Cochrane, Salopek and Pilot should have Power fans excited, it is critical that they are not the only top-end pieces added across the next two years.
The Power have some pressing list needs and, following the exit of Zak Butters, have draft capital they need to make the most of to add talent to their list.
List needs
Height in defence: Aliir Aliir shouldered a heavy load in 2026 and is an excellent general of the backline, earning All-Australian squad selection - but there is a lack of genuine key-position talent behind him. Brandon Zerk-Thatcher hardly got an opportunity, with the Power preferring undersized options such as Lachie Jones following Esava Ratugolea's injury. Harrison Ramm is another on the books who has genuine height and got late-season opportunities, but more depth is necessary.
Goal scoring small forwards: Joe Berry is developing well and is proving to be a smart pickup, and Corey Durdin has proven an effective recruit, but they lack some x-factor and zing when the ball hits the deck inside 50. During a rebuild, small forwards should be targeted given their importance in the modern game, and there are a fair few to choose from this year.
Potential targets
Dougie Cochrane: Played just four games this year but is an x-factor player who likens himself to Marcus Bontempelli. Can take marks, runs hard and is full of class with his possession and, at his imposing size, should work his way into the midfield as a big-body in time, but in the short term at least, will likely start forward. Could even be played down back if needed.
Zacky Young: The much, much lesser-known Port Adelaide Academy talent, Young played some footy for South Australia this year and also got senior opportunities, with his pressure, competitiveness and power as a small forward some of his distinctive attributes. Would likely be a rookie selection and is Category B eligible as an Indigenous player.
Gabe Patterson: A South Australian small forward who offers energy and can also go into the midfield, Patterson would be an ideal pickup through the middle stages of the draft. The son of former Collingwood player Stephen, Gabe falls just short of being eligible for a father-son to the Pies. He was an AFL Academy member before his stocks plateaued through the middle of a campaign punctuated by a shoulder injury for the Glenelg product, before his finals series provided a timely reminder of his talent.
Harry Chapman: Port Adelaide has been linked to the outside runner, and he could prove a bargain through the middle to later stages of the draft. A former national-level track and field athlete, he was touted as a potential first-rounder earlier in the year but has since drifted despite his excitement as a damaging outside ball-user. He hopes to follow Will Day's trajectory into the midfield and would add depth between the arcs for the Power.
Harry Franz: One who could help the Power address their height deficiency down back, the South Australian has fans among clubs despite being overshadowed by Mitch Harris during the Under-18s National Championships. Athletic and able to win his one-on-one matchups, he has plenty of upside and could still be available late on night two.
Cody Templeton: Would be a shrewd selection later in the draft. Has spoken to about half of all AFL clubs, with interest spiking somewhat after a best afield performance in the Talent League grand final. Probably played his best footy through juniors as a clearance-winning midfielder but has also proven to be a more than capable goal kicker as a medium forward who can beat his direct opponent both in the air and on the ground with strength and smarts.
