Billy Frampton, Sam Powell-Pepper and Jake Neade during yesterday's time trial |
NEW recruit Tom Rockliff displayed his strong leadership skills even before he arrived at Alberton for his first- ever training session at Port Adelaide on Monday.
Rockliff made it his mission to contact all five new draftees on Friday night, in a bid to make their move to the Power a smoother one.
“It is important, especially as an 18-year-old, to have that connection with the club,” Rockliff told media after Monday’s first pre-season training session.
“It makes it a lot easier when you walk through the doors - you have a face that you’ve already talked to. That first barrier is already broken down.
“For them, there is so much spinning through their heads. Two days ago they were at home with their parents and now they have moved interstate – it’s a whirlwind for them.”
The ex-Lion recalled the moment he was phoned by Brisbane legend, Luke Power when he was drafted – saying he “remembered it like it was yesterday”.
The 2014 All-Australian said it was a daunting time for all new draftees to start at an AFL club, and if he could help make that transition easier in any way then he would.
“It’s an exciting time for them, but also for the football club. I think we did really well through the draft with what we brought in,” he said.
Port Adelaide’s first and second-year players will head to Sydney next week for a gruelling training camp with the South Sydney Rabbitohs younger players, while the rest of the Port squad will continue their 2018 pre-season campaign at Alberton.
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