WHEN you’ve played two or three practice games in 19 months, every game of footy you get is pretty exciting.

That’s certainly the case for young Port Adelaide forward Dylan Williams who was pleased to get through the trial game against the Crows last week and can’t wait to take the field again.

Williams’s 2019 draft year was ruined by injury and his first year on the list saw the club unable to participate in the SANFL so apart from a couple of pre-season games and some match simulation, the 19-year-old has been made to bide his time.

Instead, the crafty forward has worked on his fitness and honing his craft as he awaits his chance to play senior footy.

“The body is feeling good,” Williams told portadelaidefc.com.au.

“I’m a fair bit fitter than last year so it’s just more fun to get to more contests and I’m really keen to get some games in.

“We only got two or three last year so I’m really excited to get into more matches.

“I didn’t play the back end of my under 18s year either so I’ve probably played three practice games in 18 or 19 months so I’m really keen to get out there and so are the other boys.”

Williams has made no secret of his admiration for fellow forward Robbie Gray, taking in the mercurial forward’s every move at training and in games.

But the Oakleigh Chargers product, who was taken at pick 23 in the 2019 draft, has also been learning from other teammates to build his engine and his knowledge of the game.

“I try and pick (Robbie’s) brain as much as I can and I love watching him, whether I’m on the bench or the sideline, I just love watching him play,” Williams said.

“I always go over vision with him and ask him questions.

“I also trained with Dan Houston back in Melbourne (in the off-season). He helped me a lot because he’s a very good runner.

“The short break probably really helped me because I couldn’t really get into off-season mode.”

And while me might not have managed a senior game at SANFL or AFL level, Williams did enough to earn a two-year contract extension late last year.

He said he enjoyed the club and felt at home amongst a “great bunch of lads”.

“I think it’s going to be a really positive future so I’m really looking forward to it,” Williams explained.

“We’ve got a good younger group that gets along well and really try to push each other because we know we’ve got a bright future.

“We’re all close mates off the field as well.”

As for 2021, Williams has set some simple goals.

“Hopefully to play some games and crack the side early,” he said.

“But I’m just excited to play some footy again and go from there.”