A 197cm swingman who began as a forward at Geelong after being drafted at pick 43 in 2016, Esava Ratugolea moved to Port Adelaide in the 2023 trade period and settled into defence. His closing speed and reading of the ball made him one of the side's premier intercept players, and he won the Coaches' Award at the 2025 best and fairest. He has played 119 AFL games and kicked 42 goals.