PORT ADELAIDE has secured talented speedster Jed Hagan as part of its SANFL contracted list.
Hagan was unlucky to be overlooked at the AFL National Draft in November despite being highly rated by recruiters for his decision-making, ball use and ability to play across all three lines on the field.
The Geraldton product won All-Australian honours representing Western Australia in the 2022 Under 18 National Championships.
He then had the opportunity to play eight WAFL matches with East Fremantle, impressing immediately with a 20-disposal and seven tackle performance in his league debut.
An ankle injury in the preliminary final meant Hagan was unable to take part in the testing at the AFL Draft combine and it may have hurt his chances at being claimed by an AFL club late last year.
The 18-year-old has been training with Port Adelaide’s AFL side over the last week and is confident his move to Alberton will improve him as a person and player – ultimately giving him a second chance at his AFL dream.
“I knew I had to come over here to put my best foot forward,” Hagan told portadelaidefc.com.au of his decision to come to the club.
“The opportunity to train at Port Adelaide, the exposure to AFL life and the coaches – for me it is about improving and getting better and this environment will help with that.
“A few opportunities came up but it was a no brainer to take this one and come over and give it a good crack.
“Hopefully at the end of it I can get drafted, because that’s the main goal.”
Port Adelaide SANFL and Next Generation Academy Manager Shane Grimm was thrilled to welcome Hagan to the club.
“What we’ve recruited with Jed is not just an outstanding talent but a good person,” he said.
“While he is still young, he already has experience playing league football and his versatility and skillset will make him a valuable addition to our SANFL set-up.”
South Australia is very new for Hagan, who had only previously visited as part of his underage representative football duties, but a familiar face in fellow country WA product Brynn Teakle has made the adjustment easier.
Currently living with youngsters Jase Burgoyne and Josh Sinn, Hagan has looked comfortable training with the Power outfit.
“It’s everything I expected,” the 175cm talent explained. “I was able to train for a week with Freo last year so I got a bit of an insight into what it was like and I knew it would be this full on.
“It has been hard but I’m loving it so far and I thrive on this kind of stuff so I can’t wait for more.”
While he has been likened to Western Bulldogs defender Caleb Daniel and has the footy-nous and skillset to play in the backline or midfield, Hagan is expecting to spend most of his time forward feeding off some of the taller talent in the Magpies line-up.
And he can’t wait to put on the prison bar guernsey and experience his first Alberton Oval crowd.
“It’s a bit of half back and a bit of half forward,” he said. “The guys here see me as a half forward so I’m trying to work on that game.
“I played some league footy in that role as well so I’m just trying to put forward pressure on and kick goals and continue developing in that space.
“The SANFL side is looking really strong this year so I’m looking forward to being a part of the Magpies set-up.
“I’ve seen on TV how passionate the Port Adelaide supporters are as well so I’m looking forward to playing in front of them and experiencing that at Alberton.”
Port Adelaide has already signed for its SANFL side father-sons Preston Cockatoo-Collins, Harper Montgomery and Will Francou as well as Brodie Motlop – the nephew of the recently retired Steven Motlop and former Port Adelaide forward Daniel Motlop.
More signings will be announced in the coming weeks.
