Josh Lai has been awarded a place on Port Adelaide’s AFL list during the Supplementary Selection Period. Image: Matt Sampson.

Train-on player Josh Lai has been awarded a place on Port Adelaide’s AFL list during the Supplementary Selection Period.

The 19-year-old was identified by the club’s recruiting team out of Cheltenham Football Club in Melbourne’s Southern League, and was initially noticed for his power, speed, competitiveness and strong overhead marking.

Lai moved to Adelaide to train with Port Adelaide’s AFL side in early December and has fit in seamlessly.

Josh Lai has been training with Port Adelaide’s AFL side since early December. Image: Matt Sampson.

Port Adelaide list manager Jason Cripps acknowledged Lai’s hard work to gain his opportunity.

“We are really pleased to welcome Josh to the club,” Cripps said.

“We have been impressed with his approach to training, the way he learns and applies feedback, and how quickly he has adapted to the intensity needed at AFL level.

“Josh has some strong AFL traits, and since he’s arrived at Alberton, he’s shown how coachable and hard working he is.

“It’s clear he has significant upside and we know he is in the right environment to grow as an AFL player.”

The 19-year-old was identified by the club’s recruiting team out of Cheltenham Football Club. Image: Matt Sampson.

Lai was born in Singapore to an Australian mother and Singaporean father, and spent the first few years of his life growing up in China, before moving to Melbourne when he was six years old.

He found an early taste for competitive sport playing soccer, but later switched to football and moved through the junior ranks at Hampton Rovers as a midfielder and half back flanker, before moving onto the wing.

Lai was excited to begin his football career at Port Adelaide.

“I’m really stoked to join Port Adelaide,” Lai said.

“Things have happened so fast, I can’t quite believe it. I’m so grateful for the chance to be on an AFL list. I feel like I’ve put my best foot forward but I certainly wasn’t expecting this.

“Since I’ve been at the club, I’ve learned so much about professionalism and the right way to go about things. It’s pretty cool to be able to play football for a career.

“The players, coaches and staff have made me feel so welcome so I couldn’t be happier.”

Josh Lai

DOB: 1 October 2005 
Height: 185cm 
Position: Midfield
Club: Cheltenham (Southern League, Melbourne)