Improving defender Dougal Howard has shown he has fists of fury on the Port Adelaide backline

IN a back six which kept reigning premier Richmond to its lowest score since 2016, rising star Dougal Howard is shaping up as Port Adelaide’s point of difference with his amazing fists of fury.

Dougal Howard spoils Jack Ziebell in the Power’s win over North Melbourne this season. Picture: Quinn Rooney (Getty).

DOUGAL Howard has emerged as Port Adelaide’s spoiler king this season and “point of difference” in a defence which kept reigning premier Richmond to its lowest score since 2016 on the weekend.

After being trialled down back late last year, Howard completed the switch from key forward to key defender in the off-season and is now second in the AFL for spoils this year.

He is averaging 10.9 spoils per game which is second only to Brisbane’s Harris Andrews.

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At 199cm and 95kg, Howard kicked eight goals in a SANFL game on the comeback from a knee reconstruction last year but has now found a home in defence.

“He had a preference (to play back), we were looking for a defender who could give us a point of difference and that’s what he brings with the ability to find the ball in the air and bring it forward, and then his agility and speed is unusual for a person who is nearly 200cm tall,” Port Adelaide defensive coach Nathan Bassett said.

Howard on Sam Menegola at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Sarah Reed.

“We had him more as a forward last year and initially came back as a defender and we quite liked what we saw.

“We were working in that forward/ruck space and when you’ve got a guy who is six foot six and can mark it and has good speed, you like to keep him at that end, but he really enjoys defending and he’s been very good for us.

“He’s learning on the go and he’s certainly improving with where he needs to be and getting over to help.

“He’s taken eight intercept marks the last two weeks while averaging 11 spoils per game for the season.

“And he can play on talls and smalls so it’s pretty handy to have a defence that’s flexible enough. With Jonas, Clurey and Howard they are all flexible enough to play on smalls and talls.”

The 22-year-old was included in the coaches’ votes in the loss to Hawthorn a fortnight ago and was again solid in Friday night’s win over Richmond as the Tigers were kept to just 58 points on the scoreboard.

Howard is second in the AFL for spoils this season behind Brisbane’s Harris Andrews. Picture: Tracey Nearmy (AAP).

“He was our best player that day, he played a really good game, and when we talk about the defence working as a group he’s been the last one to come with the group,” Bassett said.

“Even now he’s only played 12 games in defence and we’re 11 games in this year.”

Howard was the No. 56 pick in the 2014 national draft and debuted in 2016 before rupturing the ACL in his knee in round 13. He was made to wait until Round 21 last year for a call-up but has not missed a game since.

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