PORT ADELAIDE midfielder Willem Drew says the playing group is keen to get stuck into the season, starting with a home clash against West Coast on Sunday afternoon. 

For the first time, the 25-year-old was voted into the club’s leadership group early in the pre-season and is now focused on leading both on and off the field. 

Speaking to the Adelaide media on Wednesday, Drew discussed the season ahead, his new leadership role and who could be named in the forward line for Round 1. 

Drew on his excitement for the season starting 
“Super excited. Obviously Round 1, we can't wait to see all the fans there and hopefully we get a big crowd in and we can go to work and do what we do. 

“Obviously it’s been a pretty long pre-season. And yeah, I suppose most of the time you're in pre-season, you're looking forward to playing and obviously, this weekend, we get to do that. And it's been a little bit weird that it started with round zero, watching other teams, and now we get to build our week and I think we're all really looking forward to it.” 

Drew on being in the leadership group this year 
“Yeah, it's been really good. Really fortunate and grateful to be part of leadership group. And to be honest, not a whole lot has changed. I suppose for me, it's about leading with my actions and working hard on the track and doing the little things well, so there's been a few extra meetings and things like that. I suppose with the leadership group, we're all really new as well so it's, it's been really good to lean on each other and to learn. (For me) it's more just about doing the things (both) on the track off the field and just leading the right way.” 

Drew on the midfield group 
“It’s a really special group and I suppose you just named three of them there (in Butters, Rozee and Horne-Francis). And yeah, and I think they're just getting better as well. You know, Rozee and Butters, obviously captain and vice-captain of the group, so they're a massive part of this club. And then as you touched on Jason as well, he's got a full pre-season in and has been a really good touch. I'm looking forward to what he can do. So yeah, as a whole, the midfield group are really excited and we feel like we’ve got a good mix in there.” 

Drew on Ollie Wines 
“Ollie’s had a great pre-season. Ever since I've been here, he's probably been one of the hardest working people so yeah, look, he's really, really good inside and he's been showing that in the pre-season games so I have no doubt that he can do that throughout the year.” 

Drew on the new recruits in the backline 
“(We have) a lot of confidence (in that group). I think the club has done a really good job in bringing in some key position players and they've obviously targeted those players. So from what I've seen throughout the pre-season, they're going to be great players for the club, and we're very lucky.” 

Drew on Ivan Soldo  
“I’ve loved working with Ivan and yeah, the thing I was surprised with was just his work rate and his ability to just dig in and have a crack so it's going to be good to see him go to work as well.” 

Drew on Ollie Lord’s injury 
“Yeah, it is really disappointing. And Ollie, as you touched on, yeah, he's got he's going in today (for an arthroscopy on his knee). The thing that we love about him is just how much he competes the air and has a crack, you know. He always gives his all and that's what we ask of him so yeah, we’re disappointed he's out.” 

Drew on forward line selection 
“I think there will be a few conversations around selection and whatnot. But yeah, that's going to be up to the coaches and I suppose fortunately for us, we do have people to come in and fill those roles. So, in that aspect, we’re lucky. 

“(Mitch Georgiades is) looking really, really well. Obviously hasn't played a whole lot of footy (recently) but his pre-season has been great. He's really built into it. And yeah, now that games around, he's definitely around the mark and I've got no doubt that he's just keen to get back out there and play footy with us. 

“Jezza’s (Jeremy Finlayson) showed for number of years that he’s a great AFL player and I’ve got no doubt when he comes in or when he gets opportunity that he'll do that for sure.” 

Drew on taking on West Coast 
“Obviously it's Round 1, so for us, we don't know what to expect. We'll go into this week like it's another game and there’s going to be no better challenge than to play West Coast and to get our season really going.”