PORT ADELAIDE has added experienced defender Jace Bode to its SANFL contracted list for the 2021 season.

Bode – a three-time SANFL premiership player and former captain of Norwood – played 195 SANFL games for the Redlegs and Sturt before announcing his retirement at the end of the 2019 season.

The 33-year-old also represented the South Australian state team in two occasions, leaving him three games short of qualifying for SANFL life membership.

Since his retirement, Bode has become senior coach of the Payneham Norwood Union Football Club – a role he will continue to hold concurrently with his playing duties at Port Adelaide.

Bode said the chance to reignite his career at Alberton excited him for various reasons.

“To be immersed in one of the best AFL environments, to learn from some of the best coaches and to help some of the younger players develop on-field really excites me about the opportunity to play with Port Adelaide,” he said.

“I think the young defenders at the club have a promising future and if I can help accelerate their development by sharing some of my experience, that really appeals to me.

“While many coaches seek professional development through attending coaching courses, this opportunity to be involved at Port Adelaide will also help me develop my coaching craft and learn from some of the best coaches and administrators in the AFL.”

Port Adelaide’s SANFL and Next Generation Academy Manager Shane Grimm said Bode would add valuable experience to a relatively young SANFL group.

“Jace is the sort of character who really appealed to us, not only because of his quality as a person and player but his experience with player development through his previous role at the AFL Players’ Association,” he said.

“We see his value in helping guide our young defensive group as an on-field coach of sorts.”