Port Adelaide hopes draftees Connor Rozee, Zak Butters and Xavier Duursma can help address the club’s need for class and run

Why the Power believes it has addressed its need for outside run and class by snaring North Adelaide’s Connor Rozee and Victorians Zak Butters and Xavier Duursma as its first-round picks.

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Port Adelaide believes it has addressed its need for outside run and class at Thursday’s AFL National Draft first round by snaring North Adelaide premiership player Connor Rozee and Victorians Zak Butters and Xavier Duursma with its three top-20 picks.

The Power led the league in clearances during the 2018 minor round but lacked line-breakers, speed and clean ball users as they slumped from seventh last year to finish in 10th spot.

Losing Chad Wingard to Hawthorn and Jared Polec and Jasper Pittard to North Melbourne during the trade period made that search for dash even more pressing.

Port recruiting manager Geoff Parker was confident Roosters utility Rozee (pick No. 5), Western Jets midfielder Butters (No. 12) and Gippsland Power half-back/on-baller Duursma (No. 18) could help fill those holes on their list.

“To bring in three players that have got a really good running capacity, good ball use and also versatility is what we needed, so we’re really happy with that,” Parker told The Advertiser.

Port Adelaide trio Zak Butters, Connor Rozee and Xavier Duursma. Picture: Michael Klein

“Polec, Wingard, Pittard, we were hoping to try and replace them.

“But we still wanted to make sure they we weren’t just picking a certain type, we wanted to make sure we thought they were the right player to pick.

“I think the three players will not only benefit us in the short term but also have long careers at our footy club.”

Rozee averaged only 13 disposals during SA’s national under-18 championship-winning campaign this year but excelled in North Adelaide’s stunning finals run.

His versatility appealed to Port — he played forward at times for the Roosters this past season, lined up across half-back during their major-round campaign and was a midfielder as a junior — and Parker expected he could play at the top level early next season.

“There’s a lot to like about Connor,” Parker said.

“There was never any doubt, if he got to pick five, we were going to pick him.”

Parker said Butters, whose season was cut short by a shoulder injury, had exceptional football smarts, an ability to find targets inside 50 and had a cheeky personality.

“He’s a really likeable character and loves his football,” he said.

“He’s not going to be far off full training when he comes to us.”

Duursma, Gippsland Power’s captain, played mainly across half-back last year but moved into the midfield this past season for Vic Country.

“He’s a very good runner, very good competitor,” Parker said.

“He’s a little bit different to the other boys we picked but he’s got a good mix of speed and endurance.”

Parker said the club received phone calls before and after choosing Butters at pick 10 but decided against trading any of its selections.

He said the Power, whose remaining pick was 82, would consider trading up the order on Friday if a player it wanted fell into calculations.

POWER’S FIRST ROUND PICKS

PICK 5

Connor Rozee, 18, North Adelaide (SA), utility, 185cm, 74kg

PICK 12

Zak Butters, 18, Western Jets (Vic), midfielder, 181cm, 70kg

PICK 18

Xavier Duursma, 18, Gippsland Power (Vic), midfielder, 185cm, 71kg