Port Adelaide “contemplating” Mid-Season Draft approach amid list spot conundrum

Port Adelaide is weighing up whether or not to open more vacancies on their list ahead of Wednesday's Mid-Season Draft.

The Power will already have one list spot open due to Xavier Walsh undergoing shoulder surgery last week, ruling him out for the remainder of 2025.

Category B Rookie Jacob Moss sustained a syndemosis injury and fibula fracture earlier this month, and won't be seen this year. However, he cannot be replaced, given that he is already a rookie.

"We've got at least two players who won't play again this year," GM of Football Chris Davies said.

"And we're contemplating a couple of others right now, with the Mid-Season Draft not far away."

But Davies is "contemplating" opening another two spots due to the long-term injuries of Todd Marshall (Achilles) and Tom Cochrane (foot).

The pair are deemed "unlikely" to recover in time to return to football in 2025, meaning the club could open three spots on its list.

"We'll take a balanced approach to that," Davies continued.

"We wouldn't suggest that any one player that comes in makes the team infinitely better than the players already on our list.

"We're contemplating right now how many selections we actually have. We'll certainly open more than one spot, but whether that means we take more than one selection remains to be seen."

The Power have had recent success in the Mid-Season Draft after taking defender Logan Evans last year, who recently penned a three-year extension.

Davies said the Alberton club will attempt to bring in players for the now and the future, which Evans has embodied.

"If you bring a player in, it means you either see something in them long term, or you think they can play straight away, and sometimes it's both," Davies said.

"There are a number of players now, certainly at SANFL level, we might look to draft who we think might also have the capability to be longer-term AFL players."

Jack Watkins was overlooked by Port Adelaide as an SSP signing after spending the summer at the club, but was retained by its reserves outfit for the 2025 season.

Watkins has averaged 30 disposals, five marks, four clearances and just under four inside 50s in seven outings.

"He is (right on the precipice)," Davies said.

"Jack's been our best SANFL player all year, and that's in fairness, what we expected from a guy who had already played state footy in Victoria.

"He's one of the guys we're certainly looking at."