PORT ADELAIDE enters tonight’s NAB AFL Draft set to add another first round talent to its exciting young list, armed with Pick 12 after moving up the draft order during the Trade Period.
Recruiters and supporters alike at Alberton will be hoping the club can get its hands on the next Zak Butters or Miles Bergman. Both were nabbed with pick 12 in 2018 and 2019 respectively (technically Bergman’s name was officially called at Pick 14 after academy selection bidding – a scenario likely to be repeated in 2021 – but Port entered the live draft with Pick 12 on the books).
National Recruiting Manager, Geoff Parker explained earlier this week that his team had identified a group of players they expected to be around the mark with Pick 12, including exciting homegrown talent Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Sandringham speedster Josh Sinn.
But who else could be in the mix to be wearing Port Adelaide colours in 2022?
Parker was quizzed heavily about Wanganeen-Milera during his press conference on Tuesday morning and it is hardly surprising.
Looking past the obvious connection of holding the Wanganeen name shared by uncle and Port Adelaide legend Gavin, the Glenelg product has bolted into potential top-10 status as a smooth-moving wingman with arguably the best kick in the draft.
Left-footed defender/midfielder Sinn is another who has been linked to Alberton and could add electrifying pace to the Power’s already exciting young list, drawing comparisons to Essendon running man Adam Saad.
The Sandringham Dragons product battled with injuries and lack of game time through Victoria’s issues with COVID-19, but his performances in his last full season of footy had him entrenched highly in mock drafts.
Port’s midfield already bats deep with Brownlow Medallist Ollie Wines, ageless champion Travis Boak and the desire to get more time in the middle into emerging stars Connor Rozee and Zak Butters this season.
However, Subiaco pair Matthew Johnson and Neil Erasmus could be too good to pass up if they are available at the Power’s selection.
Johnson is a tall (192cm) on-baller who has impressed with his athleticism and cleanliness using the ball. He was named best on ground for Western Australia during its AFL Grand Final day curtain raiser.
Fellow West Australian Erasmus is another tall midfielder with elite running capacity and the ability to push forward and have an impact on the scoreboard. He has also showcased great footy smarts and a strong ability to clunk contested marks around the ground.
Northern Knights defender Darcy Wilmot won’t have to look far for inspiration if he walks through the doors at Alberton, having been likened to 2020 John Cahill Medallist Darcy Byrne-Jones.
The tenacious halfback has caught the eye of many scouts for his competitiveness down back and willingness to take the game on. A strong mark, who would pair excellently as an interceptor with Aliir Aliir, and line-breaker who would add to Port’s already impressive defensive stocks.
Josh Goater is another who would strengthen Port’s backline group, but also with an eye to push further up the ground and even onto a wing.
The Calder Cannon boasts genuine pace with the ball in hand and possesses impressive athleticism for a player his size, standing 190cm.
The Power enter the draft with plans to already claim one son-of-a-gun, with Jase Burgoyne – son of Peter – having nominated the club as a father-son pick. However, could another sentimental selection be on the cards?
Jesse Motlop, son of Daniel, doesn’t qualify as a father-son for North Melbourne or Port Adelaide and is technically linked to Fremantle’s Next Generation Academy.
However, new rules restrict clubs from matching bids on metro Indigenous academy members before Pick 40. Could the Power swoop on the exciting young forward and hope to replicate the firepower of his mercurial father?
The NAB AFL Draft gets underway this evening at 6:30pm ACDT and will be broadcast live on Fox Footy, with further coverage of all of Port Adelaide’s workings to come on portadelaidefc.com.au.
