Joining Port Adelaide in the 2023 trade period from Geelong, Esava Ratugolea is a strongly-built defender ready to make his mark at Alberton. Selected at pick 43 in the 2016 Draft from the Murray Bushrangers, where he played alongside now-teammate Todd Marshall, Ratugolea spent the early stages of his AFL career playing in the forward half – however the versatile tall later found his calling when he shifted down back.
It was Ratugolea’s athleticism, intercept marking ability and capability to play on big key forwards that had Port Adelaide so keen to get him to the club. The 25-year-old is set to significantly boost the Power’s team defence, where he will work closely with fellow key backs Aliir Aliir and Trent McKenzie as well as fellow 2024 recruit Brandon Zerk-Thatcher.
Honours
- Carter Family Community Champion (Geelong, 2021)
