He arrived as an under-age forward - and now has played in every zone on the AFL field.

He waited more than a year to don the Port Adelaide jumper - and now has 19 AFL matches to his name and just one from the SANFL.

And he is a fast-rising star, both by his work as a most-versatile player and by his Rising Star nomination for the Ron Evans Medal as the AFL's best new talent in 2021.

He is Miles Bergman, a graduate from the 2019 AFL draft class who carries high praise from Port Adelaide senior coach Ken Hinkley.

"I am very grateful, but you focus on the team success more," said the modest Bergman at Alberton on Thursday.

"And when (the individual accolades) come, you take it as it is."

Bergman's nomination in Round 21 seemed long overdue, particularly as he drew increasing praise for his growing on-field contributions while Port Adelaide had its depth tested by injury during the mid-season.

"There's a lot of great players out there, a lot of young guns - I just kept trying to play consistent footy," Bergman said. "It is an award you are really grateful for when you get it, but you don't focus on it too much. You just want to play good footy for your team and try to win to get into finals.

"There are a lot of players pushing for positions," added Bergman of the challenge to stay in Port Adelaide's line-up. "We had a lot of injuries, but we have a strong list and anybody who comes in will fill their spot. You just have to make sure you keep being consistent and working on what you can."

Bergman was Port Adelaide's first call - at No.14 - in the 2019 AFL national draft in which the club also claimed Mitch Georgiades (19), Dylan Williams (23) and father-son pick Jackson Mead (25).

But COVID protocols demanding no contact between AFL-listed players and those of second-tier competitions forced Bergman to the sidelines without an SANFL development path last season.

The Sandringham Dragon draftee made sure it did not become a wasted year - and the fruit of his dedication to training is noted today in the AFL.

"Obviously, it was a tough year with COVID, so I just worked to get my body right," Bergman recalled. "I also had a couple of injuries. I just focused on what I could do to be better. 

"I worked with some of the other boys and going into the (2020-21) off-season just worked really hard to push for a spot."

The "year out of footy" might have been a blessing.

"Definitely," said Bergman. "It drove me to get more motivated and work on the things that I needed to work on, to get stronger, bigger and more mature.

"Last year should have been a whole year of SANFL which would have really helped for my development as well. But I am grateful for the opportunity I have had."

Bergman started the season being mentored by vice-captain Hamish Hartlett to develop his skills as a half-back. He is now on a wing. And he has made it to half-forward to recall the lessons learned in junior football in Melbourne.

But where does he belong on the team grid?

"I am not quite sure," Bergman said. "I am playing a bit of wing at the moment, so I will probably say that. 

"I have not looked too far ahead. Everyone's dream is to try to build up and get inside (the midfield) at some stage.

"I started at half-back, played a bit of half-forward and wing ... I was drafted as a forward. They moved me to the back line and that changed a little bit of confidence for me. 

"I focused on getting stronger in the gym and working on my running. I wanted to get that right coming into the pre-season."

Bergman followed the super draft class of first-rounders Connor Rozee, Xavier Duursma and Zak Butters knowing he had a standard to uphold.

"Coming in, you see that (from AFL start from the young trio) and think, maybe I have a chance to do that," Bergman said. "Then you realise the standard and have to work really hard. You realise the standard you need to set to get those games. 

"You feel a bit pressured but you take it as it comes."

The "welcome to the AFL" moment for Bergman began in the season-opener against North Melbourne at the Docklands in Melbourne.

"The bigger bodies and the higher intensity (of AFL) demand you just keep going," Bergman said. "You don't realise how hard you have to work to earn your spot - and keep your spot."

Hinkley's advice to Bergman is "to keep playing my role - and to do everything that is asked of me".

"I am not to worry about the other stuff, like how much you get (of the football) - just play the role for the team, do the team things," Bergman said.

Bergman is currently living with Duursma and ruckman Sam Hayes - and has quickly come to understand the "Port Adelaide way".

"Coming in, I did not have a huge understanding," Bergman said. "But everyone has taught me a lot about the club and what a privilege it is to be a part of Port Adelaide."

Bergman's tip for the Rising Star in a field that includes team-mate Georgiades?

"There are a lot of great players - a lot of great young guns," Bergman said. "A lot of players have a great chance."