Unveiling the Power Gem: A New Era for Houston and His Sidekick

Port declare ‘no Houston, no problem’ | 02:00

Dan Houston’s exit from Port Adelaide last October has blown the door wide open for prodigy Josh Sinn to become Alberton’s next star, with the unheralded utility capturing the attention of teammates this summer.

Watch every match of the 2025 AAMI Community Series Live & ad-break free during play, exclusive to FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.

Sinn, who has played 10 AFL games in three seasons at the club, shot into the spotlight amid his inclusion for last year’s three-point semi-final win over Hawthorn. As Houston sat on the sidelines through suspension, Sinn proved himself a valuable interceptor in Port’s back half, while also involving himself in crucial scoring chains under pressure.

It was that night that he and good mate Jase Burgoyne gave Power fans a glimpse at the future out of the back half, as Sinn finished the night at 100 per cent disposal efficiency and a maiden AFL finals win under his belt.

Life without dual All-Australian Houston has been in motion for several months now at Port Adelaide, but it has become apparent that he isn’t irreplaceable.

The 187cm versatility is heavily backed in by teammates to take his new-found role in the defensive half by the scruff of the neck, with his penetrative kick and athleticism capable of breaking lines in the same manner Houston did at Alberton for eight years.

“The first player (who’s impressed me the most this pre-season) is Josh Sinn, who’s had injuries throughout the early part of his career. He was drafted during Covid times, where they didn’t play a lot of football,” teammate Ollie Wines told foxfooy.com.au in late January.

Taken with Pick 12 by Port Adelaide in 2021 Sinn was plucked from the jaws of Essendon on night one of the national draft. Ken Hinkley’s club moved up two spots in the pecking order to acquire Sinn’s services, speaking to how highly they touted him from day dot.

Covid and injury niggles prevented the Xavier College product from truly showcasing his raw talent in the build-up to his selection; arguably the only thing that stopped him from being taken even higher in the draft. In another show of faith before he’d even played an AFL game, Sinn re-signed with the club on a new contract.

Sinn debuted in Round 2 of 2022, before consistent groin complaints ended his maiden season in a professional setting prematurely. His lack of luck with his body extended into 2023, with a hamstring surgery putting a full stop on his season after three more games at AFL level; one of which was as sub.

A broken collarbone last year briefly threatened to end Sinn’s season prematurely for the third year straight, but after a swift return to AFL level, he later proved himself impactful in three of his last four SANFL hit outs before a call-up to the senior team appeared.

Sinn runs from the ground after his shoulder injury against Hawthorn in Round 10, 2024 at the Adelaide Oval (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Officially, it was Ryan Burton’s calf soreness that emerged the week of the Hawthorn semi-final that saw him included for the do-or-die clash, but Houston’s suspension and a high-grade hamstring injury to Kane Farrell on the eve of finals had sparked conversations of Sinn’s potential inclusion well before that.

“Josh Sinn’s another one that’s been working so hard. With Dan (Houston) going out, he gets that role (off half-back) and I think he’ll grab it with two hands,” star midfielder Jason Horne-Francis told foxfooty.com.au last week.

Club captain Connor Rozee was also full of praise for Sinn’s new partner-in-crime that is Jase Burgoyne, who much liked Sinn, stepped up on the big stage throughout September last year.

“Jase Burgoyne had a strong finish to 2024 in our finals series, and was probably one of our better players. He’s another young person that’s attacked pre-season really well and I think he’s set for a big year this year,” Rozee revealed to foxfooty.com.au.

Both Burgoyne and Sinn are currently out of contract beyond 2025, however there’s no doubt that Ken Hinkley and his club will be looking to retain the duo for many years to come.

“I spoke to Ken about this and I just want to focus everything on football,” Sinn told The Advertiser’s Matt Turner late last month.

“We both spoke about how it’s probably going to be hard to avoid the question about contract talks but I’m honestly not thinking about anything past our first pre-season game against Adelaide.

“I think I want to stay here, definitely.”