POWER rookie Nick Salter used to think AFL footballers “had it easy”, but one pre-season and six months of full-time training at Alberton has convinced him otherwise.

Salter, who turns 21 next month, was snared by Port Adelaide with the club’s first pick in the 2007 NAB Rookie draft after, somewhat surprisingly, being overlooked in the national draft.

The powerfully built forward caught the eye of Power, and also Crows’, recruiters last year after a stellar season with Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL.

Salter’s talent was undeniable, but he had to prove to a few people, including himself, that he had the drive to play football at the highest level.

“Before I got drafted by Port Adelaide, I really played footy just for fun,” Salter said.

“It wasn’t until a year or so ago that I realised I might have a chance at playing AFL, so I moved down here to Adelaide, did the full pre-season and gave myself the best opportunity to get drafted.”

The laid-back, 191cm, 94kg, country lad grew up on his parents’ property in Clare, north of Adelaide. The Salters run a delivery business in the famous wine region and own a sizeable amount of land where the family also tend sheep.

The strong marking forward was lured to Woodville-West Torrens in under 17s and despite representing South Australia at U18 level, didn’t commit to playing regular footy with the Eagles until 2006.

“It was a two-hour drive from Clare to Adelaide, so I didn’t come down every week. I’d play a few games for the Eagles and then go home and play every now and then,” he said.

“Two years ago, Mum and Dad bought a house in Adelaide, so I left Clare with my older brother. I did a pre-season with the Eagles and I have played league football ever since.”

In May, Salter was selected to represent South Australia in the state game against Victoria at Adelaide Oval. The apprentice cabinetmaker is hopeful a few more months of consistent footy in the SANFL will see him promoted to the Power’s senior list, where a spot has been vacated by retired ruckman Hugh Minson.

“Having that available spot on the [senior] list has definitely motivated me,” Salter said.

“One of my goals at the start of the year was to get on the senior list and now that there is actually a spot available, I’m trying my best to get on there.

“I think playing good SANFL footy will keep my name up there.

“I think I was close [to being elevated] a few weeks ago. I spoke to Choco when the team was losing, but there’s not much else I can do except keep playing good footy. Hopefully then the rest will take care of itself.”

Salter, like many draftees, experienced a rude awakening during his first summer at Alberton, but has since improved several areas of his game, including his endurance and defensive pressure.

The Eagles have taken advantage of the raking right footer’s increased aerobic capacity, by playing him as a ‘burst’ midfielder and also a running half-back.

“In the pre-season I realised just how fit you have to be to play at AFL level and just how hard the guys actually work. I used to think footballers had it easy, but it’s pretty much the opposite,” Salter said with a laugh.