Height: 193 cm

Weight: 89 kg

DOB: 05-08-1994

Junior Club: Imperials Football Club (Murray Bridge)

Recruited from: Sturt (2017 Rookie Draft, pick 42)

2018 SANFL games: 6

2018 SANFL goals: 2

Guernsey number: 40

Jarrod Lienert will become Port Adelaide’s first AFL debutant this season when the mature-age rookie runs out against Greater Western Sydney on Sunday afternoon.

A member of Sturt’s 2016 Premiership side, Lienert also won the SANFL’s Star Search award in the same year.

The smart defender was used all over the ground in a utility role by Sturt coach Marty Mattner but has found a home as a backman since being at Port.

Lienert was studying to be a teacher when he was drafted with pick 42 – Port Adelaide’s last selection – at the 2017 Rookie Draft.

He is the son of Brett Lienert who played 134 games and kicked 33 goals in 8 seasons at Sturt.

Brett Lienert won the Reserves Best and Fairest award in 1988 and was runner up to John Paynter for the P.T. Morton Medal in 1989.

With an uncanny ability to play both tall and small because of his impressive agility, speed and game sense, Jarrod Lienert also possesses a strong kick, which was on show when he kicked a booming goal against Adelaide in the SANFL last week (see video below from 15 second mark).

While he has only played six SANFL games this year because he had knee surgery in May, ruling him out for all of May and June, Lienert’s form has been good all season.

Power coach Ken Hinkley said the 23-year-old had been close to debuting before his surgery.

"He probably would've played well before this (if not for the knee surgery) and he's worked his way back and he's playing some really strong football," Hinkley said at a press conference on Friday.

"He's been playing as a key back, he's got a bit of pace, he's got a nice leg, some really positive things.

"He's got some AFL stuff that will make us better."

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