JOSH Sinn already has made a strong impression on Port Adelaide staff, players and fans as one of the newest faces at Alberton. Now the teenager is on the verge of extending the admirers to the wider AFL community.
In the past decade, Port Adelaide senior coach Ken Hinkley has shown confidence in fresh-faced draftees by playing four of the club's eight top-20 draftees in the opening round - even three in the same game.
Brownlow Medallist Ollie Wines (pick 7, 2012) in the 2013 season-opener against Melbourne at the MCG; Connor Rozee (5, 2019), Zak Butters (12, 2019) and Xavier Duursma (18, 2019) in the 2020 home-and-away season start, also against Melbourne at the MCG.
The versatile and strong-kicking Sinn is expected to take this list to five in the season-opener in the night clash against Brisbane at the Gabba on Saturday week.
Not in doubt - nor question - is Sinn's belief that he is starting his AFL career at the right club.
"The culture at the club is something I can look forward to every day," Sinn said at Alberton on Thursday when he took a significant step to lengthen his AFL journey.
Sinn (12, 2021) has signed a contract extension to the end of 2025 before his AFL debut, joining fellow untried duo Dante Visentini (pick No. 56, 2021) and Ollie Lord (49, 2020) on Thursday in accepting new deals at Alberton. Visentini joins Sinn in extending until the end of 2025; Lord is locked until the end of next season.
"There's a lot of clubs out there - that you would know - where you would not want to rock up every day," added Sinn. "Waking up every morning, I have a smile on my face knowing I am going to Alberton.
"The club has done such a good job making us (new draftees) feel so welcome. My family is very supportive of me wanting to stay and they are happy that I am happy.
"There is nowhere else I would rather be. It took two weeks from when I arrived in December to know I was really happy to be part of the group (at Port Adelaide). I was living with (vice-captain) Ollie Wines and learned so much from him.
"(Fellow midfielder) Karl Amon has been a big one for me. We have seen how well he has done when he has played on the wing. And Dan Houston.
"I kept coming into the club wanting to make more friendships with all the players. It was quite special."
Sinn's eagerness to extend his first-up, two-year draft contract was noted by his willingness to sign beyond 2025.
"(I told my manager) Yes .. could we do more than two years?" Sinn said. "I want to be here for as long as possible. I see myself as a one-club player. I don't see myself anywhere else. The club showed faith in picking me and I have to repay that faith.
"I was never second-guessing whether I wanted to hold on or wait out. I just wanted to put pen to paper and keep adding years to my contract."
Sinn describes himself as "hopeful" of winning Port Adelaide's faith in top-20 draftees at the match committee's selection table next Thursday when the first 23 for Season 2022 are named.
"It is such a tough side to crack into which is what makes (an AFL debut with Port Adelaide) so exciting as well," Sinn said. "I am doing everything I can, week by week, day by day, to put my best foot forward. Whether it is round one - which would be pretty good - or later in the season or even next season, I will try to keep getting better each week.
"It is exciting for me knowing that I have to put my best foot forward every week. I am never satisfied with how I am training. I want to keep getting better; I want to stay hungry.
"It is cool that guys who were drafted around me will get games early. That is exciting for them. But for me I am excited by the challenge at Port Adelaide - the challenge to crack into a (top-four line-up). I know if I do, I have done all the work; I have done everything right.
"My mind has wandered there (to selection for round one), but I need to keep my head down and focus on working week by week, day by day.
"I have been happy with my pre-season, the first I have been able to fully get through. It has been good for my confidence. I have been able to develop myself, not just on field but also off field.
"Wing is the position I love playing. But the best part (of my game) is the versatility to be able to play anywhere; I can roll through the midfield, forward and back. Wherever I get a game, I will be happy."
Visentini, a 201cm ruckman-forward, had his pre-season opportunities limited, in particular with a COVID contact hit just before he was to join the senior squad for the pre-season clash with Gold Coast at Gold Coast a fortnight ago.
Visentini described his willingness to work a new contract at Port Adelaide as a "no brainer to get more years on an AFL list."
"There is peace of mind (with a longer contract) and I am very grateful for the confidence the club has shown in me," Visentini said.
Visentini's arrival at Alberton during the summer strengthened Port Adelaide's long-term planning for talls after the move by ruckman-forward Peter Ladhams to Sydney in the trade market.
The Victorian teenager also has found Alberton is a well-fitting new home.
"The environment created by all the staff and the playing group make (Port Adelaide) a place you want to be at, " said Visentini, who - as with Sinn - has advanced to the AFL from the impressive Sandringham Dragons football system in Melbourne.
"No matter where you fit in the club, you are pushing for success. I enjoy every day. The transition from Melbourne has been seamless.
"There are years of knowledge (from lead ruckman Scott Lycett and ruck coach Matthew Lobbe) that is being willingly given to me - and I am appreciative of everyone helping me out to fast track my development."
