So, with the 2008 NAB AFL Draft just days away portadelaidefc.com.au concludes its review of the Power’s biggest hits (and misses) in drafts gone by with a look at the last three years.
2005 NAB AFL Draft
In 2005, the tables turned for Port Adelaide and the club found itself bargaining for its own homesick player. Injury-riddled North Melbourne forward Daniel Motlop, who had spent considerable time in SA, was desperate to leave the Roos and follow his brother Shannon to Adelaide. The Power, under coach Mark Williams, was keen to secure the freakish talent and gave up picks 28 (Matt Riggio) and 46 (Travis Baird) to get him.
However, you could argue that Port Adelaide’s other trade of 2005 wasn’t as successful. The Power gave up their first pick (14) to bring long-kicking Hawthorn onballer Nathan Lonie to Alberton. Lonie notched up his 100th AFL game last season, but was subsequently delisted. The Hawks used their 14 pick to snare Grant Birchall, who played a role in the club’s premiership in 2008.
The Power stocked up on youngsters with the rest of their picks, selecting Nick Lower (30), Alipate Carlile (44), Hugh Minson (58) and Jon Giles (70). All but the unlucky Minson remain on Port Adelaide’s list.
Impressive onballer Danyle Pearce also made his AFL debut in 2005 after being upgraded from the clubs rookie list at the start of the season.
Overall pick of the draft…
Marc Murphy (Carlton), Dale Thomas (Collingwood), Xavier Ellis (Hawthorn), Josh Kennedy (Carlton) and Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood) were the top five picks, while the Power also missed out on the services of Geelong’s Travis Varcoe (pick No.15) by trading their first-round selection.
2006 NAB AFL Draft
The Power made up for a disappointing 2006 campaign with what could eventuate as the club’s best draft in history.
Port Adelaide used its equal highest-ever draft pick, No.5, to invest in Torquay teenager Travis Boak and followed up by taking 19-year-old Woodville-West Torrens defender Paul Stewart. The Power used its mid-range picks to grab rare talents Nathan Krakouer (39) and Robbie Gray (55).
Lanky forward Justin Westhoff proved a steal at 71 as did Richmond discard David Rodan, who was taken with the last ‘live’ pick in the 2006 NAB AFL Draft.
Unlucky youngster Ryan Williams, who was selected just ahead of Rodan at pick No.83, is the only player from this group without a locker at Alberton for next season.
The Power also fared well in the NAB AFL Pre-season Draft of the same year, picking up Matt Thomas and also elevating ex-Brisbane Lion onballer Tom Logan.
Best picks in the draft overall…
Carlton snapped up Bryce Gibbs with the No.1 pick after Adelaide failed in its attempt to have the talented teenager brought to West Lakes under the Father-Son rule.
Joel Selwood’s suspect knee put six clubs including Port Adelaide off drafting him until Geelong pounced at pick seven. The Power also passed on star Crows forward Jason Porplyzia, who was taken one pick after Thomas in the 2006 NAB AFL Pre-season Draft.
2007 NAB AFL Draft
The Power added strapping forward Adam Cockshell to their list via the NAB AFL Pre-season Draft and carried a similar theme into the NAB AFL Draft at the end of the year.
Port Adelaide, after a second-place finish, opted to have just four picks in 2007 and used its first (pick No.16) to obtain athletic big man Matthew Lobbe. Marlon Motlop joined his cousin Daniel at Alberton with pick 28 and Matthew Westhoff joined his brother, Justin, with pick 33. Energetic half-back Mitch Farmer rounded out Port Adelaide’s selections with pick 49.
Best picks of the draft overall…
Probably a bit too early to call on this one, but Richmond youngster Trent Cotchin appears a superstar in the making and former Port Adelaide star Stuart Dew helped Hawthorn to a premiership in his first year back in the game.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
