STEPHEN CARTER played 172 games for the Magpies and 10 for the Power, winning five SANFL premierships, but never got to play in a Showdown. 

So the former rugged Port Adelaide defender can’t wait to see his son Hunter don the Power colours to take on the Crows on Saturday afternoon.

Hunter Carter, 15, will feature in a junior Showdown between Port Adelaide’s Under 15 Next Generation Academy and Adelaide’s NGA, as the curtain raiser to the main game at Adelaide Oval.

Among the other talented youngsters to feature in the side is Harper Montgomery, son of 2004 premiership defender and current Port Adelaide defensive coach Brett.

Stephen Carter said he couldn’t be prouder to see his boy don the black, white and teal.

“He’s really looking forward to it, to not only be representing Port Adelaide but to also get the chance to play on Adelaide Oval, which is such a great venue,” he said.

“As long as he enjoys it, I’m never too fussed who he plays for, but it is great to see him in the Port Adelaide colours.”

Hunter Carter, who is described by his father as a Hawthorn supporter who also backs Port Adelaide, but Stephen Carter said his lad is very aware of the rivalry between Port and the Crows.



Hunter plays his club football for Port District in the Port Adelaide heartland.

“He plays as a defender or on-baller but has also played up forward so he can sort of play anywhere,” Carter explained of his son.

“He’s a ball-winner and fights for the footy to get it out, and I guess a bit like me, he’s hard at the footy.”

Hunter Carter started in the Next Generation Academy in the under 13s when Shaun Hart was the director and is now working under NGA coach Paul Stewart, who played 101 AFL games for the Power, and his assistant, current Power-listed player Cam Sutcliffe.

“We’ve been lucky to have had this current group for a few months now and they’re a great group of talented young men,” Stewart said of the side.

“It’s pretty exciting for them to play on Adelaide Oval and because it’s a curtain-raiser there’ll be a few people in the crowd so it’s a good opportunity for them to showcase their skills.

“This is just one arm of our NGA set-up and we’ve put together some really good programs for them with things they probably can’t get at their other clubs like dieticians and mindfulness coaches talk to them as well so not only do they get training and craft skills with us but they get some exposure to elite training environments.

“Hopefully one day these boys can find their way onto an AFL list and hopefully it’s ours at Port Adelaide.”

For Stephen Carter, he’s thrilled that his son is getting the opportunity to learn his craft in an elite training environment.

“It gives the boys a great insight into what it takes to be an AFL footballer – all the preparation, pre-game and post-game that they need to help their development,” he said.

“He’s very lucky to be involved in it.”

Port Adelaide’s Under 15 NGA will tackle Adelaide’s Under 15 NGA from 1:48pm on Saturday afternoon at Adelaide Oval.

Port Adelaide's Under 15 Next Generation Academy squad