PTV: In Their Own Words
Recruits Aaron Young and Cameron O'Shea, who were drafted by the Power with picks 36 and 52 respectively, played junior footy together with TAC Cup side Eastern Ranges and were also selected to represent Vic Metro at under-16 and under-18 level, where they teamed up with Port Adelaide's first-round draft pick, Ben Jacobs.
Young and O'Shea also played alongside second-year Power midfielder Andrew Moore at the Ranges prior to this season and Young said having familiar faces at Alberton would make the move interstate easier.
"It was pretty relieving knowing that you're not going over by yourself," Young said. "It's a big change, so to have someone you know…someone you've played all your footy with for the last five years like Cam is a good relief.
PTV: Aaron Young Highlights
"I think it's the same feeling for our parents. They are both losing kids interstate, but they are comforted by the fact we'll be together."
O'Shea has another mate at Port Adelaide in former Eastern Ranges ruckman/forward Matthew Lobbe.
O'Shea and Lobbe grew up together in the small town of Emerald in the Dandenong Ranges and were both students at Ferntree Gully High School.
O'Shea said the pair had stayed in contact even after Lobbe was drafted by the Power with pick No.16 in the 2007 national draft.
"Emerald is a pretty small place and I remember everyone at school looking up to Matty when he was playing at the nationals and about to get drafted," O'Shea said.
"Whenever he comes back he gives me a call and we go and have a kick at Emerald Oval."
PTV: Cameron O'Shea Highlights
Young is grateful for the company in Adelaide now, but on Thursday night he was on the search for solitude, listening to the draft in the car by himself while his family watched on TV inside the house.
The 17-year-old finished second behind skilful Sydney Swans recruit Jed Lamb in the kicking test at the draft combine, with an efficiency rate of 87 per cent but the aspiring commerce student said he's better known for his marking.
"The kicking test actually wasn't one of the tests I was aiming to do as well on, but I happened to do it pretty well," Young said. "My kicking is something I've worked on a lot in the last few years and it's improved a fair bit.
"Marking probably comes more naturally to me. For my size… my marking isn't too bad."
