Port Adelaide Power Contracts & Salary Cap: Connor Rozee, Dan Houston Trade & Aggressive Spending

The Port Adelaide Power operate under the AFL’s $16.49 million soft salary cap, featuring captain Connor Rozee on a six-year deal worth approximately $6 million through 2029.

Port Adelaide finished 8th in 2024 with a 13-10 record before losing the Elimination Final to Geelong. The club traded star defender Dan Houston to Carlton for Pick 12, clearing approximately $850,000 from the salary cap. This created immediate flexibility for recruiting and retaining young talent.

List manager Jason Cripps manages aggressive spending around Rozee, Zak Butters, and Jason Horne-Francis. Coach Ken Hinkley departed after 12 seasons without a premiership, replaced by assistant Josh Carr entering his first senior coaching role.

Discover the Port Adelaide Power players biography and net worth by clicking on their name.

Port Adelaide Power’s Biggest Contracts

1. Connor Rozee – Captain/Midfielder: Connor Rozee signed a six-year extension through 2029 worth approximately $6 million total. He reportedly earns $950,000-1.05 million annually as the 2024 John Cahill medallist and club captain. The 25-year-old averaged 25.7 disposals in 2024, cementing his status as Port Adelaide’s franchise player.
2. Zak Butters – Midfielder/Forward: Zak Butters extended through 2030 on a deal worth approximately $5.5 million total. He earns an estimated $850,000-950,000 annually after finishing 3rd in 2024 Brownlow Medal voting with 27 votes. The 24-year-old kicked 41 goals from midfield, providing elite two-way output.
3. Jason Horne-Francis – Midfielder: Jason Horne-Francis joined from North Melbourne in 2022 via trade on a deal worth approximately $4.5 million through 2028. He earns an estimated $700,000-800,000 annually after Port Adelaide traded picks 8 and future first-rounder to acquire the Pick 1 talent. The 21-year-old averaged 23.4 disposals in 2024.
4. Darcy Byrne-Jones – Defender: Darcy Byrne-Jones extended through 2027 on a deal worth approximately $4 million total. He earns an estimated $650,000-750,000 annually as a two-time All-Australian defender. The 29-year-old averaged 22.8 disposals in 2024, anchoring Port Adelaide’s backline.
5. Ollie Wines – Midfielder: Ollie Wines remains on contract earning an estimated $800,000-900,000 annually through 2026. The 30-year-old 2021 Brownlow medallist played 16 games in 2024, struggling with injuries and form decline. His high salary for reduced output creates cap pressure.

Port Adelaide’s top-five contracts total approximately $25-27 million across multiple years. The Power consume roughly 40-43% of salary cap space on these five players.

How Port Adelaide Manages the $16.49M Salary Cap

Port Adelaide operates near maximum at approximately $16-16.3 million with minimal remaining space. The Power allocate 40-43% of salary cap to their top five players, creating concentrated spending.

The club cleared major space trading Dan Houston ($850K) to Carlton for Pick 12 after 2024. This created immediate cap relief allowing extensions for emerging stars like Mitch Georgiades ($600K) and Miles Bergman ($550K).

Port Adelaide faces moderate pressure in 2025-2026 with Ollie Wines ($850K) approaching career twilight. The club must decide whether extending the 2021 Brownlow medallist at reduced rates makes sense given his injury struggles.

Port Adelaide’s Biggest Decision: Trading Dan Houston

Port Adelaide’s most significant decision came trading Dan Houston to Carlton for Pick 12 after 2024. The club moved his $850,000 salary despite Houston being a three-time All-Australian in his prime at age 27.

Houston’s departure immediately saved approximately $850,000 annually. The Power redirected savings toward retaining Zak Butters ($950K) and extending Miles Bergman ($550K). The club prioritized midfield investment over expensive defenders.

This ruthless approach mirrors Collingwood’s cap management. Port Adelaide chose depth over star retention, believing Connor Rozee ($1M) and Zak Butters ($950K) provide more value than maintaining three premium players.

Salary Cap Strategy: Port Adelaide vs Adelaide

Port Adelaide employs aggressive star accumulation allocating 40-43% of cap to five players earning $650,000-1.05 million. Adelaide pursues balanced youth spreading 35-38% across five emerging players earning $650,000-1.1 million.

The Power target immediate premiership success with Rozee (25), Butters (24), and Horne-Francis (21) entering prime years. Adelaide accepts patient rebuild developing Riley Thilthorpe (22) and Izak Rankine (24) without immediate pressure.

The Showdown rivals showcase contrasting timelines. Port Adelaide finished 8th targeting breakthrough success. Adelaide finished 11th in year four of rebuild. Port Adelaide invested heavily in win-now stars, Adelaide cleared veterans for youth flexibility.

FAQs

How much does Connor Rozee earn at Port Adelaide?

Connor Rozee earns $950,000-1.05 million annually on his six-year extension through 2029 worth approximately $6 million total. The 25-year-old captain won the 2024 John Cahill Medal as Port Adelaide’s best and fairest.

What is Zak Butters’s contract worth?

Zak Butters signed through 2030 worth approximately $5.5 million total, earning $850,000-950,000 annually. The 24-year-old finished 3rd in 2024 Brownlow Medal voting after kicking 41 goals from midfield.

Why did Port Adelaide trade Dan Houston?

Port Adelaide traded Dan Houston to Carlton for Pick 12 to clear his $850,000 salary despite being a three-time All-Australian at age 27. The club prioritized retaining Zak Butters and extending younger talent over expensive defensive spending.

Does Port Adelaide have salary cap space?

Port Adelaide has minimal remaining cap space after operating near the $16.49 million maximum. Dan Houston’s trade ($850K) created immediate relief for extensions, but the club faces pressure with Ollie Wines ($850K) aging and requiring contract decisions.