PORT ADELAIDE recruit Jason Davenport doesn't have too far to look for a role model at his new club.

Davenport, who was recently delisted after a year on Geelong's senior list, was thrown a lifeline by the Power in Saturday's NAB AFL Draft and it's little surprise teammate David Rodan was the first to offer an outstretched hand.

After all, Rodan has walked a mile in Davenport's shoes.

Two years ago, Rodan made the whirlwind trip to Alberton just days out from the draft, desperate to show the Port Adelaide coaching staff he still had something to offer.

And last week, it was ex-Cat Davenport's turn.

The 23-year-old onballer was invited to spend three days at the club, which would ultimately serve as his audition for a second chance.

"I came over to train last week and all the boys were great, but David Rodan had a couple of extra words to me," Davenport said after training on Wednesday.

"He obviously heard I was in the same scenario he was and he just said, 'Train hard, back yourself in and have fun out there more than anything because you don't want to get too hard on yourself', which I think I do at times.

"David Rodan has been nothing but a success story. He's come here [Port Adelaide], worked hard to get back from his knee injury and he's played great footy. I mean he's represented his country in the International Rules.

"It's obviously great to have someone at the club who has gone through the same situation, and as much as the outcomes could be different, I can really look up to him and see how he went about it.

"But a lot of it is just on me; I've just got to make sure I work hard to get there."

Davenport, a noted ball winner and goalkicker, claimed the Geelong VFL best and fairest this year, but could not force his way into the star-studded Cats' AFL line-up.

"Geelong has had a lot of success over the last two years and I played consistent footy last season, but when the [AFL] team loses one game for the season there aren't going to be too many changes made, especially because there were no real injuries as well," he said.

"I just had to keep putting pressure on those senior players and play consistent footy, which I thought I did. Yes, I won the best and fairest award, but that's not what you play for – it's more for the chance to play AFL footy.

"I feel I deserve that chance and I'm glad Port is going to give me that chance.

"I'm hungry. I think I'm a pretty competitive person and I want to win. I want to help the Port Adelaide team win, so whether it's me putting pressure on those senior guys again or getting a chance myself, so I can contribute that way."

Davenport, who is half Canadian, is still learning the game of Australian football, having only converted from basketball five years ago.

He started his career in the Ellinbank Football Club thirds, but quickly progressed to Geelong's rookie list and was named a member of the VFL All-Australian team in 2007.

The super-quick midfielder said he felt better prepared to play AFL footy after two years in the system.

"I've had two years in the business now and I feel like I'm absolutely ready to play," he said.

"I've got my foot in the door but I've got to work really hard over the pre-season and prove to the boys, the coaching staff and everyone else on the board that I deserve my chance to play.

"It's not something that is just going to happen, I'm going to have to work really hard and go from there."