Woodville-West Torrens defender Martin Frederick hopes to make African community proud if he lands on an AFL list

A Woodville-West Torrens rising star hopes to follow in Majak Daw and Aliir Aliir’s footsteps to be the next player of African descent on an AFL list, and a role model for the next generation.

• SA’s draft guns in their own words

His mother is South Sudanese migrant and does not really understand the rules but Martin Frederick hopes to be the next player of African descent to land on an AFL list.

The Woodville-West Torrens youngster bolted into draft calculations after helping SA win the national under-18 championships for the first time since 2014.

Frederick, who was born in Adelaide after his mother migrated from South Sudan, would love to follow in the footsteps of North Melbourne’s Majak Daw and Sydney’s Aliir Aliir.

“Mum still says to me ‘play nicely’ and she doesn’t really understand the game,” Frederick, of Mansfield Park, says.

“But she’s come to watch a few games.

“I am not nervous about the draft, it’s exciting and I’m just taking it all in.

“One of my main goals is to be a role model and to make sure I conduct myself appropriately to set the standard for others (players of African descent).”

Martin Frederick with fellow Port Adelaide Next Generation Academy member Kai Pudney. Picture: Sarah Reed

The 178cm, 74kg running defender is also part of Port Adelaide’s Next Generation Academy.

The Power has nominated him and fellow academy member Kai Pudney ahead of Thursday and Friday’s AFL national drafts.

Similar to the father-son rule, if another club selects a player in Port’s Next Generation Academy, the Power can match a bid by using available points from other draft picks.

Martin Frederick, who hopes to be selected at this week’s AFL draft, in action for SA during the under-18 national championships this year. Picture: AAP/Andy Brownbill

If an NGA player is not called at the draft, the Power can select him as a category B rookie.

Frederick played five reserves and six under-18 minor round matches for Woodville-West Torrens this year.

He was also part of the Eagles’ flag-winning under-18 side that beat South Adelaide by five points.

The CBC Year 12 student tested in front of recruiters at last month’s state draft combine and finished fourth in the yoyo test, reaching level 21.3.

“I am just focusing on what I can control right now, training hard, running and doing weights every day.

“I trained with Port during this year’s pre-season and it really helped with my development.

“It made me take a massive leap compared to last year and I think that showed in my footy this year.”

Woodville-West Torrens defender Martin Frederick, pictured at Woodville Oval, is hoping to be selected at this week’s AFL national draft. Picture: AAP/Keryn Stevens

Frederick says he probably won’t watch the draft, which is over two days this year — Thursday and Friday — but says it “would mean a lot to be drafted”.

“I’ve worked really hard, so being on an AFL list would be amazing.”

Port’s SANFL and Next Generation Academies manager Shane Grimm says Frederick is a versatile player and can also transition into a high-pressure forward.

“He can chase, he can tackle, he puts a lot of speed an the opposition and he has genuine closing speed,” Grimm says.

“He really takes the game on, he breaks lines.

“He works hard, has done everything the way he should’ve.”