HE HAS come on leaps and bounds in 2012 but the hill is still there to climb for newly contracted ruckman Jarrad Redden.
‘Reddo’ as he is affectionately known, carries with him an infectious grin with the personality to match.
It is no wonder that he has quickly become a favourite amongst the die-hards at Power home games.
[ Related: Four commit to Power ]
He came to Alberton from the Woodville-West Torrens Football Club, some five minutes down the road from Power headquarters, when he was selected with pick 54 in the 2008 draft.
The 205-centimetre ruckman debuted this season having enjoyed an eight-week stint maintaining sole ruck duties for the club through the NAB Cup and opening rounds of the year.
He came to Alberton from the Woodville-West Torrens Football Club, some five minutes down the road from Power headquarters, when he was selected with pick 54 in the 2008 draft.
The 205-centimetre ruckman debuted this season having enjoyed an eight-week stint maintaining sole ruck duties for the club through the NAB Cup and opening rounds of the year.
He cut his teeth in those games against some of the strongest rucks in the competition including Shane Mumford (Sydney) and Patrick Ryder (Essendon).
Redden told PortAdelaideFC.com.au the opportunity to debut as the club’s number one ruck is one that has set him up for what he hopes to be a successful career.
“It was a great start to the season and I got given the opportunity to play all of the NAB Cup games, I probably did all right there and got the opportunity to play the first three games in the number one ruck spot,” said Redden.
“Since then ‘Lobbes’ [Matthew Lobbe] and [Brent] Renouf have been up and about and we’ve shared that number one ruck duty through the games.”
On the back of his new two-year contract, the 21-year-old is looking forward to the next stage in his career.
[ Related: Redden profile ]
After playing exclusively for the Eagles in the SANFL for his first three years at the Power, Redden has his sights set on higher ambitions having learned from the best in the business.
“As a ruckman I think it’s in everyone’s mind that you want to take the number one spot eventually,” said Redden.
“I’m quite happy sharing the load with Lobbes and whoever else is in the team but in the future I’d like to take that number one spot.
“I’ve had the privilege of having [Brendon] Lade, [Dean] Brogan, obviously Matty Primus and now Shaun Rehn to help me on my way.
“This pre-season I’ll be working on developing a better fitness base and just bulking up more and getting that strength.
“It’s a great group of guys here, great culture and over the past four years now I’ve had to earn my spot.
“It just shows that it’s all paying off.”
And for the thing Redden is most looking forward to in his next two seasons at Port Adelaide?
“Definitely winning some games.”
“I think we’re all looking forward to that!”
Redden told PortAdelaideFC.com.au the opportunity to debut as the club’s number one ruck is one that has set him up for what he hopes to be a successful career.
“It was a great start to the season and I got given the opportunity to play all of the NAB Cup games, I probably did all right there and got the opportunity to play the first three games in the number one ruck spot,” said Redden.
“Since then ‘Lobbes’ [Matthew Lobbe] and [Brent] Renouf have been up and about and we’ve shared that number one ruck duty through the games.”
On the back of his new two-year contract, the 21-year-old is looking forward to the next stage in his career.
[ Related: Redden profile ]
After playing exclusively for the Eagles in the SANFL for his first three years at the Power, Redden has his sights set on higher ambitions having learned from the best in the business.
“As a ruckman I think it’s in everyone’s mind that you want to take the number one spot eventually,” said Redden.
“I’m quite happy sharing the load with Lobbes and whoever else is in the team but in the future I’d like to take that number one spot.
“I’ve had the privilege of having [Brendon] Lade, [Dean] Brogan, obviously Matty Primus and now Shaun Rehn to help me on my way.
“This pre-season I’ll be working on developing a better fitness base and just bulking up more and getting that strength.
“It’s a great group of guys here, great culture and over the past four years now I’ve had to earn my spot.
“It just shows that it’s all paying off.”
And for the thing Redden is most looking forward to in his next two seasons at Port Adelaide?
“Definitely winning some games.”
“I think we’re all looking forward to that!”
