How Port Adelaide has transformed from uninspiring to flamboyant in two AFL drafts
AFL talent expert Kevin Sheehan has hailed Port Adelaide’s 2019 draft class, saying the club is on the right track after adding more exciting youngsters to its list.
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AFL talent expert Kevin Sheehan has hailed Port Adelaide’s 2019 draft class as the team’s transformation from uninspiring to flamboyant continues.
A year after a slow-paced, predictable Power squad lacking flair added first-round gems Connor Rozee, Zak Butters and Xavier Duursma, Sheehan says the club – which has played finals just once in the past five years – landed another exciting group with X-factor that, in time, should see it rocket up the ladder.
“This is an exciting group, I’d be very happy if I was Port Adelaide,’’ Sheehan told The Advertiser.
“With what the club did last year, it’s compiled a lot of elite talent very quickly, a core of young players who can turn games.’’
The Power – desperate to add more class, athleticism and pure footballers to its line-up – had four selections between 14 and 25 after grabbing father-son product Jackson Mead at 25, when it matched a bid from Sydney.
Sheehan said two of its first three picks could have been top-10 selections had injuries not derailed their 2019 seasons.
Port took Sandringham Dragons midfielder Miles Bergman at 14, Subiaco forward Mitch Georgiades – widely considered a bit of a smoky selection – at 18 and Oakleigh Chargers forward/midfielder Dylan Williams at 23.
Bergman was always projected to go in the middle of the first round, but Sheehan said
Georgiades and Williams were draft steals after last year being in the conversation for the top 10.
“Injuries pushed them back, but their talent hasn’t gone away,’’ Sheehan said.
“This time last year – before injuries struck – they probably would have been top 10.
“But the medical reports on them are good, there is no risk there, so all they’ve done is miss a fair bit of their 18th year - Georgiades the whole of it, Williams half of it.
“They are medically sound now, so Port has got them at bargain prices, that’s the way I read it.’’
Georgiades – the son of former Western Bulldog John Georgiades – did not play a game in 2019 because of a badly corked thigh that bled into the muscle and required three surgeries.
Classy left-footer Williams had stress fractures in his back and other ailments that prematurely ended his season in July.
“The goals Williams kicked in (under-18) finals last year, he looked an absolute star,’’ Sheehan said.
“It all went pear-shaped with stress fractures of the back, moving to a hip problem, to a hamstring issue and leading to him being tucked away.
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“But he’s fit again now and you would never have thought a club would be able to get him in the 20s.
“And the same with Georgiades, he’s a great value pick. He’s a very strong marking player, with great athleticism and an eye for goal.’’
Bergman might also have been in the top 10 conversation had severe shin splints stopped him from being at his dynamic best in the back end of the year.
“Bergman has got the versatility, the size to play in a range of positions – midfield, forward and back – and has just turned 18, so he could be a star of the game,’’ Sheehan said.
“He was probably one of the more appealing players in the whole of the draft because of what he might become.
“He can play anywhere and is your prototype modern day player.’’
Port took gun SA midfielder Mead – the son of inaugural Power club champion Darren Mead – with its fourth pick when another highly-regarded draft expert, Gary Buckenara, had him rated as the 15th-best player in the draft.
“All four are capable of playing next year and could have a similar impact as (AFL Rising Star runner-up) Rozee, Duursma and Butters did this year,’’ said Buckenara.
“The Power are building a good core of young players who play on instinct, have footy nous and take the game on.
“It’s exciting times for them.’’
Port balanced off its list in the rookie draft by selecting Swan Districts key defender Jake Pasini and another father-son player, speedy wingman Trent Burgoyne – son of 2004 premiership player Peter Burgoyne.