Port Adelaide defender Josh Sinn was back on deck for pre-season training on Thursday, with the AFL group together for the first time in 2026.
Accompanied by a special guest at his press conference, Sinn introduced the media to club welfare dog, Albert, a labradoodle puppy who will provide support across the men’s and women’s programs.
Albert will eventually undergo therapy dog training, with evidence showing dogs can help athletes manage stress and improve overall wellbeing.
Sinn spoke with the Adelaide media at Alberton Oval, touching on Albert’s first day at the club, pre-season training so far, and his personal goals for the year ahead.
Sinn on new club puppy Albert
“It’s exciting. He’s an exciting recruit, probably our best one, I'd say! I think the club's done a pretty good job with the change that's come across with all the new coaches and staff and the new thought processes that have come through with that. And I think there was a study done that dogs have been able to help reduce stress amongst athletes. And clubs like San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Mavericks have got their own welfare dogs. So for us to bring Albert in, it's quite funny, but it's pretty cool. And I guess there's not too much stress in pre-season, but I guess throughout the season, I'm pretty excited to see what Albert can do for us, so it'll be good fun.
“It was a little bit of a surprise, what the what type of dog we're getting, but I think there was talk surrounding a dog coming in. So it was kind of a surprise to have him here so early. I think there was a bit of a process with Albert so but now it's good having him here.”
Sinn on who he thinks will care for Albert most
“Darcy Byrne-Jones is already doing a pretty good job of not letting Albert into the locker room and keeping him out. So I think Darcy will be the father figure for the dog and Jase Burgoyne can can be the mother!”
Sinn on pre-season so far
“I think there's minor adjustments, and it's probably more towards our defence that's changed than anything, and as a defender myself, it's quite exciting. I feel like we're going to be a more connected unit down back, and even just team defence in general is going to be a lot more fluid, and it'll help our offence considerably. So, it's exciting, and I think, like people might have touched on it pre-Christmas, just the freshness around the group and the way that Carry (Josh Carr) has been able to bring in all these new coaches, and the energy that they've brought to the to the program has been pretty special. And I honestly didn't think the change would be this significant. And, yeah, it's really exciting to be part of the club at this point in time.”
Sinn on Todd Marshall playing back
“Yeah, so Todd's been down back, which has been exciting. An achilles is a big injury, and I don't want to put too much pressure on him, but if he gets back to anywhere near his best, he'll definitely be pushing for selection, and won't just be pushing for selection, but he'll be a very important part of our back line. I think the way we’ve just got to manage expectations coming back from an achilles, because it's quite severe, but he's done everything right to get back, and he's obviously really good for the group, personality wise. So hopefully he can be there as part of the team.”
Sinn on the sense of rejuvenation at the club
“I think it's only six weeks until we play an internal trial, maybe, and then seven until we play against the Crows in a practice match. So it comes around pretty quickly. And I think we spoke about it this morning, just how we need to hit our straps early, and instead of using practice games as a way of just slowly building into the season, we want to be really ready for those practice games and take it as seriously as possible.”
Sinn on his own body
“My shoulder was a little bit frustrating throughout the season, but it was manageable. And I was pretty lucky I was able to do everything over the off-season. And yeah, I think for me pre-Christmas, it was just managing me in and out of training here and there, just with contact and stuff, but I'm 100% fit now. My body has kind of let me down in previous years, but I feel like after playing 20 games last year, hopefully I can get to 23 or 24 whatever it is this season. So it's looking positive.”
Sinn on feeling like he has a fresh start
“It almost feels like I've had a fresh start, in a sense, coming into a new contract, new coach, I feel like I was able to put a lot of my injuries in the way my first few years went behind me. Last year was more of a thing that I know I can play at the level and my body won't break down every time I try and push to that level. So to come into this year, and even the following season, and hopefully many more, it's just kind of a positive sign, and it does feel like a fresh start. And it's also really good knowing that there's 23 spots on the field that are all up for grabs. There's no one set in any position where they are now. So a fresh start is a good start.”
Sinn on his personal goals for 2026
“I actually turned 23 yesterday, and I'm considered old for the group, so yeah, I feel like leadership is something I want to tap into a little bit more. I know I play better when I'm a bit more vocal on the field, or I can help lead other people and bring other people into the game. So I guess leadership, in a sense of being able to be more vocal on the field, help people off the field as well. And I guess just performance wise, being a lot more consistent, and whether I get given roles on game day or not, just being able to execute them.”
