FORWARD Sam Powell-Pepper will be a Port Adelaide player until at least the end of 2025 after he agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension.
A fan favourite for his toughness and attack on the football, Powell-Pepper played every match in 2022, finishing second in the club’s goalkicking with a career-best 24 goals.
The 25-year-old has averaged 17 disposals across his 114 career games, ranking him as elite against players who play in his position.
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Drafted with the 18th pick in the 2016 AFL National Draft, Powell-Pepper has made his name as a hard-tackling forward after his start as a big-bodied midfielder, though he showed his versatility and selflessness while playing as a makeshift back-up ruckman at times last season.
The West Australian is as popular with his teammates as he is with the Port Adelaide faithful for his caring nature and team-first approach, and says he is thrilled to remain at Alberton.
“I love everything about being at Port Adelaide – the history, the culture and especially the people,” Powell-Pepper said.
“I’ve built my life in Adelaide with my family, and I have strong friendships within the playing and coaching group as well as outside of footy.
“The club has helped me grow into the person I am today, and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue that growth around a group that is driven for success.”
Port Adelaide List Manager Jason Cripps praised Powell-Pepper’s maturity and development over recent years.
“Sam, to his credit has worked hard on himself and was rewarded last season, being one of our more consistent players and finishing fifth in the best and fairest,” Cripps said.
“We love his willingness to hunt the ball and keep it in our forward line, and he is also contributing more on the scoreboard. He plays the Port Adelaide way – tough and hard at the footy – and is a real barometer for our side because of his energy.
“He’s a great teammate and really popular around the club, and we’re excited to have him at Alberton for another two years.”
Powell-Pepper won the Gavin Wanganeen Medal as the club’s best under 21 player in his debut year in 2017, earning a Rising Star nomination in the same year.
He was twice named in the AFLPA 22under22 squad (in 2018 and 2020).
The East Perth product has booted 72 goals since his debut in Round 1, 2017.
