PORT ADELAIDE youngster Kane Farrell has had a taste of football at the elite level and is keen to cement his spot in the Power side in season 2020.
Farrell has played 12 games and kicked 17 goals in his two years at Alberton after debuting against the Western Bulldogs in round 19, 2018, and after signing a three-year contract extension in 2019 the silky left-footer feels like he is ready to take the next step in his career.
“I’ve had a little taste of AFL footy,” Farrell told Malcolm Blight and David Wildy on Sportsday SA.
“This pre-season I have knuckled down a little bit more than previous ones. I’ve got a bit more mature in the body.
“This year, I’m looking forward to hopefully a big year.”
The Castlemaine product started his Port Adelaide career in a forward pocket, but has expressed his desire to shift further up the field to be a creative option through the middle of the ground.
“I prefer it on the wing at the moment,” Farrell said.
“You get a bit more of the footy than you do down forward. I like kicking the ball into the forwards. I want to try and create more plays for us.
“If I get chucked in there one game to help out with rotations for the other inside mids, I think I would be able to do that to give them a helping hand.
“It’s about making sure I have different options when I’m out there playing.”
The 20-year-old has had some specific training focusses so far this pre-season, which he hopes will help his move into the centre of the ground.
“I’m focussing on my contest work - being stronger over the ball,” Farrell said.
“I want to be cleaner in traffic and just all-round stronger in my tackling and when being tackled.
“I’m working on my contest and general inside craft.”
Farrell has been excited by the return of Charlie Dixon, and expects the key forward to have a big impact for the Power this year.
“He has trained very well at the moment,” he said.
“He’s marking everything that comes his way. He’s kicking goals. And he’s just creating a big contest for all of the small forwards around him.
“His pre-season so far has been very good.”
