Primary school student Diezel Franze wrote a book on Sam Powell-Pepper as part of building his reading and writing skills. Image: Brooke Bowering.

SAM POWELL-PEPPER is the first to admit he wasn’t the best student at school, and reading and writing was not his forte.

So, he more than most, understands the significance of a book written about him by seven-year-old fan Diezel Franze who has had his own challenges in the classroom.

The Nazareth Catholic College student has come a long way since the start of the year and now enjoys reading nearly as much as he likes getting to Adelaide Oval to watch his beloved Port Adelaide play.

That is why when it came to improving his reading and writing, his teachers decided to focus on his interests and from there Diezel did the rest.

“He’s one of my favourite players and he’s a really good player,” Diezel explained during a visit to Alberton to present the book to Powell-Pepper.

“He’s not a sore loser and he is one of Port Adelaide’s best players.”

Making the trip to Alberton to meet his idol, Diezel gifted Powell-Pepper the book he created.

As a reward for sticking to his task and for how far he has come, Diezel had the opportunity to meet his idol and watch him train at Alberton.

“I wasn’t a huge fan of school growing up,” Powell-Pepper admitted, saying he could relate to Diezel’s struggles. “I tried to pay attention as much as I could but especially early on, I was a bit of a naughty kid and was more focussed on hanging out with my mates and my sport.

“It was really special to meet Diezel and to know that he could draw some inspiration from me despite his struggles early in the year.

“To be a role model for him that is a real honour for me, and I am just super proud of him for sticking at it.

“I absolutely love his book and can’t wait to see what he does next.”

While both Powell-Pepper and his young fan were shy at first, the AFL star was clearly impressed with Diezel’s creation.

Soon the youngster warmed up and he had some questions including who Powell-Pepper’s best friend at the club was and what it took to become an AFL player.

“I was happy to see him but a bit nervous,” Diezel said after the encounter.

“He was bigger than what I thought. I think he liked my book a lot.”

Powell-Pepper met the Franze family, longtime Port Adelaide supporters, at Alberton to celebrate Diezel's work. Image: Brooke Bowering.

The Franze family gets to every Port Adelaide home game and was lucky enough to travel to Melbourne to see the Power’s big win over Essendon in Round 22 last season.

Diezel’s dad Rocky Franze said it meant a lot that the club and Powell-Pepper had continued to encourage his son’s learning.

“He’s come a long way with his school work so obviously today is about getting his reward for his school work,” Mr Franze said.

“At the beginning of the year, he was struggling a little bit but he’s proved that if you put your head down and your bum up, and he started writing about things that he liked, which is the Port Adelaide Football Club and his favourite player Sam Powell-Pepper.

“It just shows that if you want to do something you can.

“That book is a fantastic achievement for him and his mother and I are really proud. It means a lot to us.

“It’s just great that Sam took the time out to let Diezel present it to him and let him meet his idol.”