Salter, 21, earned a promotion to the Power’s senior list for the round 18 clash with St Kilda and, despite the forward showing promise, the club still needed to be convinced the he deserved a full-time spot on its primary list for 2009.
Last Thursday, Salter returned serve when he arrived for the first day of pre-season training in the best shape of his short career.
And just one week later he was rewarded with the news of his elevation.
“I’m over the moon to be on the senior list. It’s been a long-time coming and I think I’ve worked pretty hard to get here,” Salter said on Friday.
“Now, I’ve just got to concentrate on playing consistent footy and, hopefully, I’ll get a game in the AFL.
Salter, Port Adelaide’s first selection in the 2007 NAB AFL Rookie Draft, has demonstrated undeniable talent since taking up with SANFL club Woodville-West Torrens in earnest in 2006.
But the country lad’s desire and work ethic has repeatedly been questioned and the club demanded he worked on improving his fitness and lowering his skin folds if he was to avoid a second-straight year on the rookie list.
“I’ve done a fair bit of work since the end of the season- I gave up my footy trip for it,” Salter said with a laugh.
“I worked pretty hard. I went back home [to Clare] for a little while and worked on my own because that’s what the club told me I needed to do.
“And I think I’ve done that pretty well.”
Salter delighted Power fans in his debut with some strong marks and two first-half goals before being cleaned up by Saints star Brendon Goddard.
He added to his goal tally with one against Carlton the following week, but failed to play another AFL game for the season after injuring his neck.
“I got a bit of a feel for it [AFL] last year, so hopefully that helps me a long the way,” he said.
“I think those two games helped me realise just how quick the game is and how much fitter I needed to be, so with a solid pre-season I should be right.
“Hopefully, I can have some good early games in the practice matches and be in the side for round one.”
Salter’s promotion means the Power will now have eight spots on their senior list to fill in the November 29 NAB AFL Draft.
The club, who earlier farewelled Gavin Grose, Ryan Willits and Daniel Boyle, will also have a clean slate to work with in regards to its rookie list with a total of six players, compared to the traditional four, able to be added.
