AS a rookie-listed player last year, Port Adelaide defender Dan Houston struggled with the harsh reality that no matter what he did he was going to be in the reserves the following week.

"It's a mental barrier knowing when the team gets selected, you're not in contention because you're on the rookie list," Houston told AFL.com.au.

"It's a bit hard mentally, but it's something you've got to work through.

"You've just got to hope what you're doing is good enough to get upgraded.

"It's about perseverance and it builds a lot of character."

Houston, 19, has been a revelation for the Power since he was upgraded to the senior list after strong performances in the JLT Community Series.

After making his AFL debut in the round one win against Sydney, he will play his sixth game when the Power face the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Saturday.

Dan Houston evades Taylor Walker in the Showdown earlier this year [pic: AFL]

Houston was overlooked in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft before the Power snapped him up with the 45th pick in the rookie draft.

"I don't see why there should be a rookie list," Houston said.

"The rookies do the same work the main list players do.

"I thought I might be a chance to get picked up in the draft, but when that didn't happen I started to get nervous."

Houston played his junior football as a lead-up forward in the mould of Adelaide star Tom Lynch.

But a chat with Port Adelaide development coach Jacob Surjan midway through last year sparked a radical change of fortune.

"Jacob said we might need you to play down back if the opposition plays a tall team, which they did," Houston said.

"He just said if your opponent is not going to get the ball, come off and help the other defenders.

"That came pretty naturally to me and I ended up playing the rest of the games down back."

Houston's kicking in the back half was identified as an area that could benefit the Power as they looked to cut down their turnovers.

"Ken (coach Ken Hinkley) said one of the things we need to work on is our kicking and ball movement, and I thought I could bring that to the team," Houston said.

"Playing down back helps the team if I can use the ball well.

"If I can bring that to the team each week, then that's what Ken wants me to do."

Houston bases his game on experienced teammate Matthew Broadbent.

"I like the way he plays and he plays very similar to me," he said.

"We watched a lot of game vision together and I want to get a lot of the traits that he has that I don't have at the moment."

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