For many players, this week’s NAB Challenge matches are little more than a dress rehearsal for the premiership season. But for Michael Pettigrew and half-a-dozen other Port Adelaide players, it couldn’t be more important.
The game against Sydney will provide them with one last opportunity to out-do their teammates and win a place in the Power’s round one line-up.
Michael Pettigrew missed six games for Port Adelaide last year, three of which were due to season-ending surgery on his shin and shoulder. But the versatile Pettigrew knows that’s in the past and, with his contract up for renewal this season, he is playing for his future.
“There’s a lot of competition. I’m not even confident I’ll play this weekend. There will be some young guys who’ll be unlucky to miss out, but someone has to and it might even be me. It’s a good sign for the club” Pettigrew said.
“This year will be the hardest yet to get a spot, but it’s all up to me. If I play well, then I’m in the team. That’s the same for each individual.”
Pettigrew is best known for his fourth-quarter heroics in round 19 last year, when he booted three goals to help the Power over the line against the Bulldogs in Darwin.
However, Port Adelaide fans could see him play a different role this season.
“Last week, I played in the backline. I enjoy playing at both ends, so it really doesn’t bother me,” he said. “It’s good being flexible. It probably gets me more games than some other guys because I can play at either end of the ground, wherever the team needs me.
“I enjoy full-forward, but I guess most players enjoy that. I still like playing in the back pocket and matching up on the great players”.
Pettigrew could come face-to-face with the greatest player he’s ever stood when the Power takes on Sydney this Friday night.
“Michael O’Loughlin; I played on him last year and he kicked a lot of points on me, but they could have been goals. Hopefully, I’ll get another opportunity to play on him this week”.
Now in his fourth year at Alberton, and with 31 games experience, Pettigrew is relishing his new role in the ‘game breakers’ group. The group consists of players, like Brad Symes, Troy Chaplin and Jacob Surjan, who are in their early 20s and entering their third or fourth season with the Power.
“There’s a group of maybe 10 to 15 of us. We have specific meetings where we discuss how we can improve within the playing group.
“A lot of the guys who have been here a little while now are stepping up and having a lot more to do with the club”.
The game in Sydney also marks Pettigrew’s 22nd birthday, putting him at the average age of the Power-listed players.
“In other teams, 22 is considered very young. But in this team, with such a young group, I’m probably being pushed up as one of the older guys. It’s a lot of pressure, but that will force me to perform."
Pettigrew is confident Port Adelaide fans will have more to celebrate this season, too. After a disappointing 2006, the Power will be out to make amends and September action is not out of the question.
“We are going to be one of the fastest teams in the AFL so that’s exciting to watch and be a part of,” he said. “We have a young and exciting list and we’ll improve on last year. We’ll be aiming for finals and then see how we go from there.”
