Polec walked into the Power’s Alberton base for the first time as a Port Adelaide player on Friday and spoke to portadelaidefc.com.au first about the thrill of joining a club he grew up supporting.
“It means a lot to be here now,” Polec said.
“My heroes have always played at Port Adelaide and now I have the opportunity to play for the club as well.
“It’s always been a dream of mine and now it’s a dream come true.”
But to make his dream a reality, Polec must get through the pre-season.
It remains his primary objective, having never undergone and complete a full summer training program at AFL level.
So instead of targeting the club’s first 2014 game against Carlton, Polec wants to get his body right with a view to establishing himself within the Power’s playing group.
He commenced training with good friend and Port Adelaide SANFL player Daniel Kulikowski three times a week upon returning home to Adelaide at the end of September and has aleady trained alongside the club's captain Travis Boak.
Now it's about ensuring his drive is maintained across the summer, including the Power's training camp in Dubai.
“I think I’ve had a bit more passion in this pre-season, especially being at a new club,” he said.
“For me my main priority is to earn the respect of my new teammates on the track.
“It’s always a big thing at a new club to earn respect by working hard.
“I’ve never had a full pre-season, so my main focus is to simply get through it.”
Polec nominated Port Adelaide as his club of choice in October and the club negotiated his trade from the Brisbane Lions in a three-way deal involving the GWS Giants.
He said the chance to play as part of the Power’s young and exciting list – the league’s third youngest in 2013 – helped convince him of the merits in nominating Port as his club of choice.
“Port has got a good young list and have been very welcoming of me so far,” he said.
“I’ve met a few boys and they’ve been really good to me, I’m just looking forward to getting out there.”
Despite a number of setbacks with injury at the Lions, Polec believes he will hold up through 'tough love' approach from Port's senior coach Ken Hinkley and a program centred on endurance work and repeat efforts set by high performance manager Darren Burgess.
Polec will commence training with the Power on November 18 when the club's younger players formally return to the club.
