Best 22

B: Jarman Impey, Alipate Carlile, Jack Hombsch

HB: Matthew Broadbent, Jackson Trengove, Tom Jonas

C: Jared Polec, Brad Ebert, Hamish Hartlett

HF: Angus Monfries, Justin Westhoff, Robbie Gray

F: Chad Wingard, Jay Schulz, Patrick Ryder

Foll: Matthew Lobbe, Ollie Wines, Travis Boak

I/C: Kane Cornes, Jasper Pittard, Matthew White

Sub: Andrew Moore

Health of the list

After a few injury scares late in the pre-season to Jackson Trengove (shoulder), Chad Wingard (knee) and Hamish Hartlett (groin), the Power look set to enter round one with a full selection of first-choice players. Wingard's "touch and go" but draftee ruckman Billy Frampton (shins) could form a one-man rehab group after round two.

The big questions

- Can the Power handle the immense expectation? The transition of Port Adelaide from laughing stock to premiership favourite has been swift, but has it been too fast? Not if you ask anyone at Alberton. The football world might only now be catching up with this new-look Port outfit but coach Ken Hinkley hasn't expected anything less than victory since the day he walked in.

- What influence will Patrick Ryder have? The Power had been seeking a player of Ryder's qualities for some time and although he wasn't sighted during the NAB Challenge, his performance in Port's internal match simulation in February would have fans extremely excited. His ruckwork was as good as we've all come to expect and his ability to turn nothing into something up forward will be great to watch in 2015.

- Will Robbie Gray win the Brownlow Medal? Last year he was judged the best player in the League by its coaches and it's obvious that Gray has upped his game over the summer. His outrageous agility and goal sense makes him eye-catching inside 50 and his ability to win first-possession means he should be remembered by the umpires.

Summer standout

One of a number of Power players to have benefited from a terrific summer, running defender Jasper Pittard looks in the best shape of his career. The injury woes that plagued his early career appear behind him and his pre-season form suggests he'll find more of the ball in 2015.

Sudden impact

Patrick Ryder's arrival at Alberton satisfied the club's need for another tall attacking option as well as ruck support for Matthew Lobbe. Ryder’s athletic ability is well known and his presence on game day will make Port hard to beat.

Fantasy cash cow

One of a number of Power players to have benefited from a terrific summer, running defender Jasper Pittard looks in the best shape of his career. Injury woes that plagued his early career appear behind him and his pre-season form suggests he'll find more of the ball in 2015 than he could last year.



It's crunch time for…

John Butcher. He’s at the end of a significant contract but unless he can cash in this year it's tough to see him winning another. The tall forward hasn't been able to control his kick in his five years in the system. His attack, forward pressure and marking are all great attributes but unless he kicks goals this year his time might be up.

Pivotal match

Round two, v Sydney Swans, Adelaide Oval, April 11, 7.10pm. Take your pick from any of the opening five – Port has a difficult start to the year and needs to notch early wins. The Power's first home game of the year – against the Sydney Swans in round two – is a big game. A strong victory against another highly fancied side would be a perfect way to start proceedings at Adelaide Oval in 2015.

The Power will have a good year if…

Matthew Lobbe steps it up another notch. Lobbe is rated as one of the club's most professional players and is coming off a sensational year in 2014. If he can, he will cement his place as one of the League's best few ruckmen and offer a talented midfield group a huge advantage.

AFL.com.au consensus predicted ladder finish: First

Premiership clock: The Power are primed to strike this year, and their premiership window should remain open for a few years yet.