Berry, the number 15 pick in the 2024 AFL National Draft, looks set for a breakout season with the Power following an impressive showing during the club’s most recent match simulation.
Comfortably one of the best afield, Berry slotted three goals and assisted another, while displaying all of his crafty wares during the two 20-minute halves, according to News Corp reports.
It was the assist, where the half-forward burst from congestion to drill a pass to teammate Jack Lukosius inside 50, that was the real highlight of Berry’s afternoon, and bodes well ahead of his sophomore season.
The Benalla goalsneak made his debut in round one under coach Ken Hinkley last year, playing six of a possible seven games to start the season, before he was dropped to the Power’s SANFL side for nine games until his eventual recall late in the year, finishing the season with a solid performance in the final five games of the home and away competition, ending his year with three goals from a total of 12 games.
While his solid form at the back end of the year and impressive performances during pre-season will no doubt hold him in good stead, Port Adelaide will head into 2026 under new coach Josh Carr after parting ways with Hinkley at the conclusion of last season, and it remains to be seen what Carr’s favoured forward formation looks like.
One of Berry’s fellow Goulburn Valley products, Jack Whitlock, also performed strongly during the match simulation, with the Shepparton key forward clunking some strong contested marks and kicking truly twice to put his name forward for a spot in the senior side come round one, as he looks to add to his four games in his debut year.
Port Adelaide will have to wait a little longer than some other sides to get their 2026 season underway as they won’t feature in opening round, instead travelling to take on North Melbourne at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium in round one on Sunday, March 15, before hosting Essendon the following week on Sunday, March 22 at Adelaide Oval in the club’s first home game of the season.
The Power finished 13th last season with a 9-14 record, failing to make finals just a year on from a second-placed finish and preliminary final berth in 2024.
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