PORT ADELAIDE draftee Mitch Banner already has four Power guernseys in his collection… but the next one he hangs on the wall might be his own.
Banner, who was selected with pick number 42 on Saturday morning, was one of two avid Port Adelaide fans to join the club via the 2008 NAB AFL Draft.
Once the 18-year-old midfielder realised he’d been drafted to his favourite team, he couldn’t believe his luck.
“It was a bit funny at the start because when we got our draft numbers the other day mine was 208936, but when they called out today they called 208144 and then my name,” Banner said.
“When they said the number I thought, well that’s not me, but then they called my name out I said; ‘Hang on, that is me.
“At that stage I wasn’t really sure who they’d picked, but once I realised it was me it was pretty good.
“I barrack for the Power, so that made it even better. If anything, Port Adelaide was at the top of my list of clubs to go to, so I’m very happy.”
The Vic Metro ball winner jumped on the Power bandwagon in 1997 courtesy of one of the club’s favourite sons.
“I used to be a big Essendon fan when I was younger because my whole family followed Essendon, but I was a big Gavin Wanganeen fan and when he went to Port Adelaide I went too,” he said.
“I got to every [Power] game I could in Melbourne this year. Obviously, I didn’t see all of them because I was playing as well, but when I wasn’t I tried to get along.”
Banner will arrive at Alberton on Monday afternoon alongside fellow Victorian recruits Jackson Trengove and Jason Davenport.
The club’s other four picks were used to secure South Australians Hamish Hartlett (pick number four), Matthew Broadbent (38), Jarrad Redden (54) and Glen Dawson (66).
Banner said he was looking forward meeting his new teammates and receiving his very own set of training gear.
“I have four Port jumpers at home. Every time the club put new sponsors on their jumpers or got a new strip, I would always go get it, but now I won’t have to,” he said with a laugh.
“When the Port blokes [recruiters] came around before they gave me a jumper with all the players’ signatures on it, so I’m definitely going to get that one framed.
“I just can’t wait to get over there [Adelaide]. It’ll be a bit different but I’m up for the challenge.”