PORT ADELAIDE defender Jarrod Lienert has tipped Mitch Georgiades and Miles Bergman for break-out seasons in 2021.
Lienert was among a group of 19 players who returned for pre-season training on Monday, and the 26-year-old was one of the oldest on the track amongst the first to fourth year players.
Speaking to Stephen Rowe on Adelaide radio station FIVEaa, Lienert said everyone returned in good condition and it was good to catch up with his teammates.
“The fact that the break was so small, we didn’t have much time to get unfit to be fair so we’re up and about and it’s good to be back,” Lienert said.
“I was the oldest one there today. Obviously, I was a mature age recruit but Charlie Dixon rocked up for training and Sam Mayes and Orazio (Fantasia) were all there to make me feel not like the one-out Grandpa so that was good.
“It was just us four in regards to those people who were not 1-4 (year players) but the guys like Connor Rozee and Butts (Zak Butters) and Duurs (Xavier Duursma) – all the young superstars were out there so the quality of training was pretty good despite the wind causing havoc.”
One player who was missing from the group was forward Mitch Georgiades, who along with defender Jake Pasini have remained with their families in Western Australia and will follow their own training program.
Georgiades made his debut in 2020 and finished with eight goals in seven AFL games and a NAB Rising Star nomination.
Lienert said he expected the 19-year-old to be one to watch in 2021, along with one of his fellow 2019 draftees.
“I know he popped up a bit last year but Mitch Georgiades is just one who is so full of talent,” Lienert said.
“He’s got a frame on him that will definitely get bigger.
“He’s not back at the moment. He’s still over in W.A. because of the border restrictions but I think what we saw last year was just a little glimpse of what we’ll see in the future. He’s very exciting.
“And Miles Bergman as well. He’s a high draft pick and has plenty of potential as well.”
Lienert signed a contract extension in recent weeks to keep him at the club for another season.
He played five games in 2020 to take his total to 18 games in three seasons and will now face more competition for a spot in the backline after the club traded in Aliir Aliir from Sydney.
But, Lienert said he was up for the challenge, and Aliir would make the side stronger.
“I’m looking forward to meeting him and getting around him at training,” he said.
“It’s not ideal in regards to this year because it was hard for guys like myself, Sam Mayes and Joel Garner to get a game at the back because we do have a really strong back seven or eight guys who are all capable of playing good AFL footy, and obviously Aliir’s going to make it definitely harder for me to get a consistent crack at it but he’ll certainly add to our side.
“I think his versatility will be good so hopefully he can play some ruck and forward minutes to ensure I’m in the side a bit more!”
