PORT ADELAIDE'S newest recruit Orazio Fantasia is proud of his upbringing in Adelaide but he will probably keep his childhood football allegiances to himself when he is getting around at Alberton.

A passionate Crows supporter who idolised Andrew McLeod as a youngster, Fantasia will get the chance to work alongside another player he liked to model his game on, Robbie Gray, when he dons his new colours in 2021.

And it appears he has overcome his affection for the Crows with his declaration that he wanted to join Port ahead of the trade period.

Fantasia had a meteoric rise into the AFL. Given a look at senior footy with Payneham Norwood Union as a 15-year-old, Fantasia worked his way into SANFL contention with Norwood and in just his fourth career game he was part of the Redlegs’ 2013 premiership side.

That year he was also part of the South Australian Under 18 national championship winning team, where his speed and agility was a highlight, if not his 65-kilogram frame.

The Norwood Morialta High School student followed his premiership coach Nathan Bassett to Essendon after being claimed at pick 55 in the 2013 national draft.

He arrived at the height of the Bombers doping scandal in a draft in which the club was stripped of its first two draft picks, but suspensions to much of the squad meant he got more opportunities to play and debuted in Round 20, 2014.

In a unique start to his career, Fantasia played under four AFL coaches in three seasons, for just four wins, but he achieved a rare feat, becoming just the tenth player to win two Rising Star nominations.

After moving from the number 46 guernsey to his “lucky” number 13 guernsey, the dynamic forward booted 29 goals from 19 games in 2016 and then his best season came a year later when he managed 39 majors in 20 games while averaging 13.8 disposals and 2.7 tackles.

Injuries have limited his impact in the three seasons since, and he has added just 31 games due to a series of setbacks.

Across his 80-game career, the 25-year-old averages 1.4 goals per game, 13.6 touches and 3.1 tackles.

Port Adelaide’s recruiting team is confident its medical staff will be able to get him back to full fitness and playing as an important small forward to allow Connor Rozee and Zak Butters more opportunity to move into the midfield.

He already has a close bond with Butters, with the pair forming a friendship after a chance meeting while training in the AFL’s COVID-19 break, while skipper Tom Jonas is also a friend through their time at Norwood and because Jonas’ brother Sam played junior football with Fantasia. The captain also plays golf with Fantasia when they get a chance.

Fantasia lived with David Zaharakis and then former Bomber Jobe Watson for a time in Melbourne, but he will have no shortage of options for housemates in Adelaide; he has a big Italian family happy to have him back including, his mum Anna, dad Pasquale and sister Teresa.

He joins Port Adelaide on an initial three-year deal and will be a welcome addition to the club’s forward structure.

Orazio Fantasia

DOB: 14/09/95

178cm, 77kg

Debuted Round 20, 2014

Recruited with pick 55 in 2013 national draft from Norwood in the SANFL

AFL games: 80 (5 in 2020)

AFL goals: 111 (1 in 2020)

Honours 

Rd 23, 2015 AFL Rising Star Nominee

Rd 17, 2016 AFL Rising Star Nominee

2017 AFLPA 22under22 team

2018 Bruce Heymanson Best Clubman Award

2017 Most Improved Player

2016 Bruce Heymanson Best Team Player Award