Benny Barrett, category B rookie, is a proud Papuan. Image: Matt Sampson.

Port Adelaide rookie Benny Barrett hopes to inspire other kids of Papua New Guinea heritage to pick up a footy. 

The Proud Papuan was picked up by the Power as a category B rookie at the conclusion of the recent AFL draft week, getting his start through the club’s Next Generation Academy. 

Barrett was added as a category B rookie, being eligible for category B status due to both of his parents being born overseas. 

Now in his fourth week as an AFL-listed player, Barrett is well and truly finding his groove at Alberton, with the 18-year-old having the advantage of already training with the AFL squad throughout 2024. 

Having spent time at the club prior to being drafted, Barrett is enjoying being a leader. Image: Matt Sampson.

“It's just lots of excitement,” he said. 

“I’m really pleased to finally (be on the list), but yeah, it's been a long 12 months. I'm really excited and keen. 

“Training with the squad this year has helped me heaps. Just coming out here, experiencing what it's like to be in an AFL system, I'm really grateful for that. Just seeing the elite level, it was just really amazing to see it first-hand and experience it. It’s helped me get here now, which I'm very grateful for.” 

Along with Port Adelaide’s NGA coaches, the South Adelaide product credits his under 18s coach at the Panthers for much of his development.  

“My coach at South under 18s is Mark Clayton, who has a history here at Port Maggies,” Barrett said. 

“He's won a grand final here. He's helped me a lot and he's got connections here so yeah, he's definitely played a big role in getting me over here and helping me get (on an AFL list).” 

Barrett prides himself on his speed, an attribute which will be particularly useful as a small forward. Image: Matt Sampson.

As a small forward, Barrett relies on his speed, which is one of his most valuable attributes – he impressed in the 20-metre sprint at the state Draft Combine, recording a blistering 2.91 seconds.  

“Definitely my speed and my cleanness at ground level (is what defines me as a player),” Barrett said. 

“And I'm a big impact player per possession, I'd say. And I love to tackle.” 

Being one of two Adelaide-based draftees this year (alongside mid-forward Tom Cochrane), Barrett felt some responsibility to welcome the interstate boys in and show them around. 

During week one of pre-season, all five boys stayed in a house together, giving them a chance to form solid relationships from the get-go. 

Barrett has enjoyed hanging out with new draftees and showing the Victorian boys around. Image: Jack Dilks.

“The boys are real good fun,” he said 

“They're all from Victoria, the three of them, and Tommy's an SA lad. So yeah, Tommy and I have been showing them around Adelaide. And as you can imagine, they’re really excited. 

“The first week felt a little bit different with all the media and all that sort of stuff. But it just feels like what I did last month, last week, last year. And I'm keen to get stuck into it and become a leader and show the other boys the way their way around here.”