IF history is a guide, we will finally have a defining title for Mitch Georgiades: All-Australian.

Last season, the All-Australian selectors acknowledged the top-two goalkickers on the Coleman Medal board - Jesse Hogan and Jeremy Cameron - in the AFL team of the year. In 2023, they anointed the top three.

Today, Georgiades is fourth in the already-decided race for the Coleman Medal, behind Geelong powerhouse Jeremy Cameron (79 goals), Gold Coast key forward Ben King (57) and Western Bulldogs’ Aaron Naughton (55). He has a career-best 53 goals in 21 home-and-away games with Port Adelaide this season.

For critical context, it needs to be noted Georgiades has thrived against the game's best defenders while Port Adelaide repeatedly has had its key forwards Todd Marshall (Achilles in the pre-season) and Jack Lukosius cursed by injury.

For Port Adelaide senior coach Ken Hinkley there is a quick conclusion on assessing Georgiades' season.

"Freakish, unbelievable year ... an All-Australian year," says Hinkley. "He has had to shoulder a huge load (without Marshall and Lukosius). All season, he has put up his hand to say he has had an outstanding football season - and that should be recognised."

Georgiades, 23, is too modest to make his own case. Although the numbers - all career-best figures - tell the story for the West Australian who since his national league debut in 2020 has challenged commentators to define the 191-centimetre Georgiades. Is he a "key forward" or "specialist forward" or "lead-up high forward"?

"I have had to stand up," says Georgiades, the first Port Adelaide player to achieve 50 goals in a home-and-away season for a decade.

"I am certainly proud of (my year). What can I say? I am proud that I have kicked 50 goals. 

"I love the opportunity. After having 12 months away (with a serious knee injury in 2022) I am pleased to be back and I have loved every opportunity to be out there. I am learning a lot playing on some really good defenders each week. 

"We have had our difficulties - by losing players - up forward. Losing Todd at the start of the year and Jack has made me want to provide consistency and contest. We also have lost Sam Powell-Pepper who is a massive focal point.

"Jack has had a very unfortunate 2025. It is not the year he would have planned (after leaving Gold Coast to add to Port Adelaide's attack post-Charlie Dixon). His willingness to want to play in the past couple of weeks - and to contribute to this group - is testimony to his character and his person. It has not been his year, but 2026 is one to look forward to - for him and me and Todd.

"We have a line-up with a lot of players still to play their 50th game. There has been the opportunity for growth and great learnings for us.

"There is a lot of excitement for 2026; look at some of the growth from Joe Berry, Will Lorenz, Mani Liddy, Ollie Lord in defence and we are looking forward to seeing a full line-up in attack."

Georgiades' career-high scoring is matched with personal best figures for marks (189 this season) - and still those remarkable launches to the heaven, as noted on Saturday night against Fremantle.

"I try," says Georgiades of his "mark of the year" leaps. "Ken (Hinkley) is fine with me flying for them, but he does say I need to calm down a bit. I will certainly try; I love that part of the game."

Georgiades next season - with a change of luck - will work to a new-look attack with a new line coach replacing Chad Cornes. He will carry with great responsibility the legacy of soon-to-retire club great Travis Boak, on and off the field.

"Where do I start with Travis Boak?," says Georgiades who arrived at Port Adelaide as the No. 18 national draftee in 2019 - and spent the first two weeks boarding with Boak.

"Travis says it all the time - you are a person first, an athlete second. We know of his professionalism - and we have all learned from that. And we have also learned from Travis how we enjoy a pretty good life, a pretty good job - and we should enjoy these moments.

"All I hear of Travis Boak from before my time here - and all I have seen since I have been at Port Adelaide - is how he has built this club. We would not be in the good space we have today without Trav.

"The legacy he leaves behind defines what is a champion of the game and of this club. 

"When you look up to people in the AFL, Travis Boak is one of them. Every player who goes out there for our remaining two games this season should be so grateful to play with a great like Trav. 

"Our young boys are learning a lot from him. And the older boys .... every day we cherish these moments with Trav."

Port Adelaide will close the home-and-away season with contrasting challenges - non-finalist Carlton at the Melbourne Docklands and at home at Adelaide Oval against top-four contender Gold Coast.

An era closes with the retirement of Boak and exit of Hinkley. There is emotion in sending off two significant men and pride in creating new momentum for the Josh Carr chapter in 2026.

"Obviously we are not able to contend for finals, but we are competitors - and do owe a few people at this club a lot," Georgiades said. "Travis Boak, Ken Hinkley and Chad Cornes as well, for all the service they have given this club for a long time. We have to give it our all.

"It will be an emotional couple of weeks for them all. The work they have put into this club for the last 15 years is second to none. The club would not be what it is today without them. 

"I am looking forward to competing during the next two weeks under Ken."