DEFENDER Joel Garner is excited about Port Adelaide’s “bright future” after the club re-signed five of its up-and-coming young players.
Garner was pleased to have signed a two-year contract extension, which will lock him to the club until the end of the 2021 season.
“It feels really good. It’s a good group coming through of young guys, but personally I feel pretty happy,” Garner told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“I love the club so far and really happy to sign on for another two years.
“The young boys coming through, they’re playing some really good footy so far and have a very bright future. To be a part of that going forward, it’s really exciting for our club.”
Garner - who made his AFL debut against Gold Coast in Round 9 this season - had his first taste of senior football this year, and says the mentoring of two of his fellow defenders has helped him improve his game.
The 19-year-old is hoping to cement himself in the Power line-up, after enjoying some good form for the Magpies in the SANFL throughout his first two years at the club.
“I’ve loved it so far, played a few games here and there,” Garner said.
“I’ve got some good mentors with Darc (Darcy Byrne-Jones) and Cluz (Tom Clurey) down there, that help me out during the game.
“Hopefully (I can play) a few more games towards the end of the year.”
Garner says the inclusion of some experienced players - Ollie Wines, Charlie Dixon, Brad Ebert, Tom Rockliff, Justin Westhoff and Paddy Ryder - in the SANFL side, has help fast-track the development of the emerging players.
“This year has been really exciting,” he said.
“We’ve had the young guys but some older guys coming back as well and playing some really good footy.
“Get a few more wins now and then hopefully start a really good finals campaign, that’d be good.”
Port will travel to Port Pirie this weekend to face a red-hot Adelaide outfit who sit on top of the SANFL table.
The Magpies will be wearing its SANFL version of Sam Powell-Pepper’s Indigenous guernsey as part of the SANFL Indigenous Round, and Garner says it is an honour to play in the design.
“Yeah, really proud,” he said.
“It’s similar to wearing the AFL one and it’s a really proud moment for our club.
“I think it’s good for Peps (Sam Powell-Pepper) as well, good recognition for his work.
“I know the other boys are really excited to wear it and get down to Port Pirie and play well for it.”
The Crows host the Magpies at Port Pirie Oval on Saturday afternoon, with the first bounce at 2.40pm.
