A PROMISING young ruckman, three young midfielders and a 23-year-old seeking a second chance in the AFL have joined Port Adelaide at tonight’s NAB AFL Draft in Sydney.
The Power chose ruckman Sam Hayes with its first pick, number 47; midfielders Kane Farrell, Jake Patmore and Joel Garner with picks 51, 58 and 60 respectively; and former Melbourne player Dom Barry with its final selection, 61.
National Recruiting Manager Geoff Parker says the draft went to plan considering Port Adelaide’s first pick wasn’t until the third round.
“We were trying to add a little bit of speed and some class to our outside and we were able to do that, and we were also able to get another young ruckman, a development ruckman,” Parker said.
Sam Hayes is a dual All-Australian ruckman at Under-18 level. Like all young
“He’s been the dominant ruckman in the TAC Cup for the past two years and we’re excited to see him develop behind Ryder, Frampton and Ladhams,” Parker said.
With pick 50, Port Adelaide initially selected Tyler Brown, the son of former Collingwood captain Gavin Brown,
Kane Farrell then joined the Power with pick 51. He’s a medium-sized midfielder who possesses an elite left-foot kick and excites with his marking ability and line-breaking run. He was an outstanding performer in the Draft Combine’s agility and 20-metre sprint tests.
“He showed he could go forward too in the second half of the TAC Cup season and that’s where he impressed us with his ability to get up and down the ground and use the ball cleanly,” Parker said.
Jake Patmore has similar attributes to Farrell – a line-breaker with great disposal by hand and foot. He improved his fitness dramatically across the 2017 season to earn promotion from the WAFL Colts to impress with the Claremont’s reserves.
“He’s been a prolific ball-winner and has
Joel Garner is another who is composed with the ball in his hands and distributes it well on his preferred left foot. He captained Vic Metro to the 2017 NAB AFL Under-18 Championship, earning All-Australian honours in the process.
“He’s got outstanding leadership abilities, he’s tough, he’s a good intercept mark and another clean user of the ball so we’re excited to see him develop in our program,” Parker said.
Dom Barry is a mature-aged draftee who’s earned a second chance at AFL level having played five games for the Demons in 2014. Barry caught the attention of recruiters playing with Glenelg in the SANFL in 2017.
“He went to school with Jake Neade and has been living with him for much of this year,” Parker said.
“He brings genuine speed on the outside, he’s a consistent ball-winner who carries the ball and delivers it long inside 50.”
Summary of Port Adelaide’s 2017 NAB AFL Draft
Pick 47 – Sam Hayes
Former team(s): Eastern Ranges, Vic Metro, All-Australian
DOB: 09/06/1999
Position: Ruck
Height: 203cm
Weight: 93kg
Pick 51 – Kane Farrell
Former team(s): Bendigo Pioneers, Vic Country
DOB: 17/03/1999
Position: Midfield/forward
Height: 182cm
Weight: 74kg
Pick 58 – Jake Patmore
Former team(s): Claremont, Western Australia (U18)
DOB: 29/01/1999
Position: Midfield
Height: 181cm
Weight: 72kg
Pick 60 – Joel Garner
Former team(s): Eastern Ranges, Vic Metro, All-Australian
DOB: 21/05/1999
Position: Midfield
Height: 184cm
Weight: 83kg
Pick 61 – Dom Barry
Former team(s): Melbourne, Glenelg
DOB: 07/03/1994
Position: Midfield
Height: 179cm
Weight: 76kg
