RIVAL AFL clubs and coaches have long debated the importance of the NAB Cup, but for one Port Adelaide youngster, the pre-season competition served as a defining moment in his short career.

Six months ago Ryan Williams had a question mark alongside his name at Alberton. The 19-year-old spent the majority of his first year in Adelaide playing with the Central Districts reserves and his career at AFL level looked uncertain.

In February, coach Mark Williams adopted a youth policy for the first two weeks of the Power’s NAB Cup campaign and blooded inexperienced line-ups, including his namesake Williams, against Carlton and the Sydney Swans.

"There was probably four or five players that played well in the NAB Cup, but I would say Ryan Williams would stand out for me," Mark Williams said after the Power’s pre-season youth experiment.

"I wasn't really sure about him, but having given him the last couple of weeks, I feel much more confident about playing him in a proper game than I would have if I hadn't given him the opportunity."

The two-game stint in the big time also gave the Geelong teenager 'huge confidence' in his ability to play at the level.

"I really enjoyed the opportunity to run around with some of the older guys and to play in the Port Adelaide team rather than with the reserves at Centrals," teenager Williams said.

"It was a really exciting time. I think I made the most of the opportunity I had and showed the coaches that I could play.

"It made me realise I could actually push for a spot in the side this year instead of just being another person on the list."

Williams has since become a regular in Central Districts’ talented league side and has even slipped into the Doggies' midfield.

Williams, taken with pick 83 in the 2006 NAB AFL Draft, earned high praise for his run-with role on Port Adelaide Magpie Jeremy Clayton earlier this season.

"I didn’t know much about Clayton before that day because, obviously, I come from Victoria and we don’t hear too much about the SANFL competition over there," Williams said.

"I had my hands full that day, but I did the job and got inside his head. He took a few swings at me in the first five minutes and then that was the end of it; he didn’t really have an impact."

The gusty utility has knocked almost two minutes off his 3.25km trial time since joining the Power late in 2006 and is now running times equivalent to those of the club’s midfielders.

Williams, who played under 18s alongside teammate Travis Boak, is determined to model his game on one of the most respected players ever to pull on the Power guernsey; his mentor Michael Wilson.

"When you want to play like him there’s no one else better to teach you than the man himself," Williams said.

"I try to model his desperation, defensive efforts and the team-first attitude he has. He’s really good in those areas. I’d like to think that’s how I play and that’s how I want to be known."

Williams is now the only member of the Power’s 2006 NAB AFL draft group not to be re-signed with the club and he’s under no illusions how vital the next nine weeks are to his career.

"Choco has already said in the media that there will be changes and that young blokes will be played," he said.

"I hope I’m one of those guys that can come in, get an opportunity, and prove why I should be on the list for the next few years."