SMALL forward Jed McEntee has signed a two-year contract extension with Port Adelaide, thanks to his team-first approach and a consistent run of form. 

The 22-year-old arrived at Alberton after the 2021 mid-season draft and has now played 23 games in black, white and teal, cementing his spot as a small forward. 

On Tuesday, McEntee spoke to the Adelaide media about staying on at the Power, how his role has evolved since his Sturt SANFL days and who has been pivotal in his development. 

McEntee on his contract extension 
“It's pretty special. Probably never thought it would happen at the start of the year but it's very special. Family's stoked, all the friends are stoked so it's awesome. I couldn’t be happier. 

“I had a bit of an interrupted pre-season with a few injuries and Junior (Rioli) came to the club (who is also a small forward) so a bit of that as well. I just kept working on myself and seeing where I could get better. I think my perseverance and hard work has paid off now. 

“Footy's a weird game, you don’t know what’s going to happen, so I (couldn’t) be happier.” 

McEntee on telling his family about the extension 
“I told mum and dad first and they are always happy. I haven’t even told my brothers yet so I think they’ve heard through the media. Probably my girlfriend, she's one of the happiest. Everyone’s stoked though, I got lot of messages before. Everyone's pretty happy.” 

McEntee on his standout on-field traits 
“My pressure. I think Kenny (Hinkley) and Strong (Chad Cornes) really helped me with that. Every week they say just bring the pressure, don’t worry about the touches or kicking goals, that will come. Off the back of that if I can keep the pressure and do the team things (he says) I’ll probably stay in the side.” 

McEntee on his set shot on goal 
“I’ve done a fair bit of work with that, early days. Nathan Bassett helped me with that a fair bit. From there I’ve got a routine and it's working.” 

McEntee on growing his confidence 
“Yeah definitely, I think that comes with games. When I first started I probably had nowhere near the confidence I have now but I think it just comes with games and being consistent. 

“I’ve never been a confident person. I think the whole group, even Chad (Cornes) has been really good to build that for me and all the players as well.” 

McEntee on his football journey 
“It's crazy, I think back to Sturt, I probably never thought I’d get the chance (to play AFL). Even when I got picked up, it was kind of late and I was kind of shocked that I actually did get the call. It's been quite a journey now and it's funny how things work in football but I’m just enjoying the journey. I know what I can bring even if some weeks I’m not up to my standard, but I know what I can bring now and I if I can keep reaching that every week (I’ll be okay).” 

McEntee on who has impacted him at Port Adelaide 
“One is probably Orazio (Fantasia). He's been awesome for me since I got here. He's helped me try and develop into that small forward which is hard at times but he’s been super for me. We help each other and try to be the best teammates for each other so that's all we really care about. 

“Ken just lets me be comfortable around the group. When he selects me, he says just do the team things, bring pressure, don’t worry about the touches. That just helps me be comfortable and not put the pressure on myself so much.” 

McEntee’s advice for young players 
“Just keep grinding. I was talking to Kenny the other day, good things happen to good people, he said. Just keep working at it and you never know. I wasn’t doing too much when I got picked up. At Sturt, I think I was averaging 19 touches a game in the midfield but it's funny how things work and if you keep persevering, you never know.”