Port Adelaide forward Dougal Howard says he is not frustrated at having to wait to get back in the Power’s side

Young forward Dougal Howard says he is happy to play the long game at Port Adelaide even if it means he does not return to AFL level until next season.

Dougal Howard tackles Eagles forward Michael Wundke in the SANFL. Picture: Calum Robertson.

YOUNG forward Dougal Howard says he is happy to play the long game at Port Adelaide even if it means he does not return to AFL level until next season.

The 21-year-old, who this week signed a two-year contract extension keeping him at Alberton until at least 2019, said he was satisfied with how he has returned from a knee reconstruction last season.

Howard went down at Subiaco Oval on June 18 in his sixth AFL game but returned to football just nine months later through the SANFL this season.

“To be back playing within nine or 10 months was pretty awesome,” he said.

“The whole rehab process was long but I came through unscathed and no hiccups along the way, everything went according to plan.

“Working with Tim Parham, Ian McKeown and Darren Burgess, they were awesome throughout the whole process and were the difference in coming back so strong and quick as well.”

Howard after returning to Adelaide from Perth last year when he suffered a serious knee injury. Picture: Stephen Laffer.

Howard started this season in defence with the Magpies but staked his claim for an AFL recall as a forward in June when he kicked eight goals against West Adelaide.

But coach Ken Hinkley has so far resisted bringing him back in while the Power continues to defy pre-season expectations by pushing for a top-four finish.

“Kenny just wants me to do it consistently at SANFL level and the AFL team is going pretty well at the moment so it’s tough to crack in,” Howard said.

“I played a little bit down back when I first came back from the knee to add another string to the bow which was good for my development, but for now I’m playing forward.”

He said he wasn’t frustrated at having to wait for another AFL game.

“It was a long 9-10 months out of footy and especially the first month when I came back I was really happy with the way I was playing,” Howard said.

“It’s hard to be frustrated when the AFL boys are playing so well and we’re still going pretty well at SANFL level.”

The versatile big man who stands 199cm and weighs 92kg said he had returned to footy bigger and stronger in 2017.

“I’ve put on a little bit of weight but I think I came back fitter and stronger after the rehab process,” he said.

“It’s a pretty long and drawn-out process, a lot of strength exercises.”

Part of his improvement this season has been thanks to working closely with Port Adelaide’s biggest key forward Charlie Dixon.

“Dicko has been really good for me, I don’t go up against him so much, he’s just always good with advice and working together on the training track.

“We’re pretty good mates now and he’s been really good with vision as well, looking through his stuff and mine.”

Howard said his decision to re-sign with the Power, which drafted him with Pick No.56 in 2014, was an easy one.

“I’m just glad mine is all sorted now and I can focus on the rest of the season and hopefully get into a full pre-season next year and go from there.”

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