In summary
The message from Matthew Primus and the Port coaching staff to the recruiting staff since the moment the 2011 season ended was to bolster the midfield, and the Power firmly believe they have used three drafts to achieve those aims. Brent Renouf, Brad Ebert and highly-regarded Sturt draftee Chad Wingard were joined on Tuesday by former Collingwood midfielder John McCarthy through the pre-season draft, then by former Crow and Blue Darren Pfeiffer and Gippsland Power youngster Danny Butcher (brother of John) in the rookie draft.

What the recruiter said
"We needed to bolster the midfield get some mature bodies through there, which we believed we did. When you finish second bottom like we did, you have a few holes to fill, but midfield was the biggest and we have started to address that." - Port recruiting manager Geoff Parker.

NAB AFL PRE-SEASON DRAFT

Pick 8: John McCarthy, Collingwood
DOB: 19/11/1989
Height: 189cm
Weight: 82kg
Parker says: "He has spent some time with us and gave every indication he’d he happy to join Port Adelaide if we drafted him. He comes from a really solid club at Collingwood and he has a strong body. We targeted him early on and would expect him to be in the side for the opening round next season."

NAB AFL ROOKIE DRAFT

Pick 3: Darren Pfeiffer, Norwood
DOB: 28/9/1987
Height: 183cm
Weight: 81kg
Parker says: "Another player with a mature body who could step in and play straight away if required. Darren came back to Norwood this year and played well through half-back and the midfield and we would foresee him playing a similar role for us."

Pick 21: Danny Butcher, Gippsland Power
DOB: 22/1/1993
Height: 183cm
Weight: 73kg
Parker says: "Looks and plays differently to his brother, but he won the Gippsland Power best and fairest and came second in the Morrish Medal. Has a few rough edges but he is tough, competitive and fast. He'll play senior footy in the SANFL and we'll see what happens next."