Port Adelaide assistant coach Stuart Dew provided a ranging overview of how many of the Power’s players are shaping up this pre-season, with the former Gold Coast head coach praising Brodie for his development over the new year.
“He's been good. He's come in and I think he's really shown how clean he can be on the inside and starting to add a little bit more outside stuff to his game,” Dew said.
“You need midfield depth, whether that's game to game or across the season.
“He's had a really good preseason so far.”
Asked to whether Brodie could fit in a midfield with other Power inside bulls Ollie Wines and Willem Drew, Dew didn’t rule out the trio sharing the centre circle at some stage this year.
“I wouldn't say no, because I think even Willem Drew is a little bit different,” Dew said.
“And certainly, I can see him covering the ground and even getting forward because he is such a nice shot at goal.
“I think we can evolve his game to be a little bit more two way and inside, outside.
“And again, with that 23rd player, it might depend on opposition and conditions.”
Meanwhile, an ACL injury to Power ruckman Ivan Soldo earlier this month could see Whitlock embrace a slight role change in 2026.
While Port Adelaide already boast three genuine rucks - Soldo, Jordon Sweet and Dante Visentini - another injury during the season could leave the Power skinny in their ruck stocks.
But Dew stated 200cm Whitlock has the potential to adapt to a ruck-heavier role if need be, after playing a forward-ruck hybrid role in his first four AFL matches, recording four hit-outs across his first two games.
“A week or so ago, we had three rucks and we weren't sure who was going to start, so, you go from feeling like you got too many, and then if one goes down, you do feel a little bit skinny,” Dew said on the current ruck situation.
“But on the flip side, we've also got Ollie Lord and Jack Whitlock that are more that forward ruck but are developing into fairly capable ruckmen as well.
“I think it's always a balancing act.
“Sometimes you look and feel a little bit thin, but at the moment we've got two guys there who are making each other better every day.”
Whitlock could take on twin brother Matt in round one if both earn selection, with the fixture scheduled for Sunday, March 15.
