COCKATOO-COLLINS, Montgomery, Francou.
No, it’s not a roll-call of a 2003 Port Adelaide AFL side; they’re just some of the names that will be running around for the club in the SANFL in 2023.
The club’s newest signings Preston Cockatoo-Collins, Harper Montgomery and Will Francou will each follow in the footsteps of their respective fathers when they don the Port Adelaide colours next season.
They’ll also be joined by another famous Port Adelaide name with Brodie Motlop – the nephew of the recently retired Steven Motlop and former Port Adelaide forward Daniel Motlop – signing on to play with the Magpies in 2023.
Port Adelaide SANFL and Next Generation Academy Manager Shane Grimm welcomed each of the four recruits.
“Harper and Will are no strangers to Alberton, having spent some time training, and in Harper’s case playing for the club in recent years,” Grimm said.
“It’s a great opportunity, under the SANFL Rookie program, to have them developing around our AFL and SANFL groups.
“We’re also thrilled to have Preston and Brodie on board as exciting young talent with strong family ties to our club.
“While their names are famous at Port Adelaide, each now has the opportunity to showcase their individual abilities and make a name for themselves, and we’re excited to see what they can bring to our group.”
Preston Cockatoo-Collins is the second son of Che Cockatoo-Collins, who played 75 AFL and 25 SANFL games for Port Adelaide either side of an 85 AFL game stint with Essendon.
The 19-year-old grew up living and playing football in Queensland but has split his time in recent seasons playing with St Mary’s in the NTFL and with North Adelaide – where Montgomery, Francou and Motlop were all part of the under 18 setup.
Standing at 186cms tall, he has played on a wing and at both half-back and half-forward
His cousins Laquoiya and Litonya Cockatoo-Motlap were part of Port Adelaide’s inaugural AFLW list.
Brodie Motlop played four under 18 games with North Adelaide in 2022 and grew up playing for the Darwin-based Wanderers in the NTFL.
His father Shannon Motlop, played 64 AFL games at North Melbourne and Melbourne between 1999 and 2006.
Will Francou’s father Josh is a Magarey Medallist and played 156 AFL games for Port Adelaide.
The St Peter’s College graduate missed much of the 2022 season with North Adelaide after suffering a syndesmosis injury but was given permission to train with Port Adelaide’s AFL side late in the season as he rehabilitated.
Harper Montgomery has already worn the prison bars on two occasions, having played two league games for the Magpies in 2022 under the SANFL’s Rookie Program.
The 19-year-old averaged 15 disposals in the matches against Woodville-West Torrens and West Adelaide in Round 14 and 15.
He is the son of 2004 AFL premiership player Brett Montgomery, who played 126 games for the club as well as 78 for the Western Bulldogs, and spent three years at Alberton as an assistant coach.
Under the SANFL Rookie program, as father-sons in their 19th year, Francou and Montgomery will train with Port Adelaide’s AFL and SANFL sides during the week and if not selected to play with the Magpies, will be able to return to North Adelaide on the weekend.
Port Adelaide had access to West Adelaide junior Kye Roberts under a similar arrangement in 2022.
Further SANFL signings, including the club’s leadership player, will be confirmed in coming weeks with a number of players invited to train at Alberton in pre-season.
