Port Adelaide midfielder Aaron Young says Power players have no angst at playing SANFL on the eve of finals
PORT Adelaide midfielder/forward Aaron Young says there is no angst among regular AFL players being kept in the SANFL on the eve of the Power’s finals campaign.
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PORT Adelaide midfielder/forward Aaron Young says there is no angst among regular AFL players being kept in the SANFL on the eve of the Power’s finals campaign.
Young has played 13 AFL games this year and as recently as Round 20 but is being made to wait for a senior recall alongside the likes of Jackson Trengove, Angus Monfries, Matt White and Jarman Impey as coach Ken Hinkley backs in his emerging young talent.
Young had 29 disposals in Port Adelaide’s SANFL qualifying final win over Sturt on Saturday and said his teammates’ attitude was the club - not the individual - must come first.
“I think the attitude is really good, that’s what builds a good club,” Young said.
“The culture has been really good and everyone who has gone back and played Maggies has played really well.
“Obviously all the guys want to be playing AFL but if the top team is playing well and the Maggies are as well, that’s really good for the club and everyone is happy that we are winning.
“It’s healthy to have competition for spots, nothing is guaranteed and boys have to keep playing well, so that added incentive and pressure is what is keeping the boys rolling at the moment and we’re getting some positive results at the moment.”
Young has been playing as a big-bodied midfielder in the SANFL but struggled to cement a spot with the Power after being unable to replicate last year’s 37-goal season as a forward. He has kicked 11.10 from his 13 AFL games this season.
“It’s nice to go back and play on ball like my junior days, and get in the thick of it, get a few knocks and knock a few blokes over,” he said.
“I’m happy to play whatever role Chad (Cornes) wants me to play.
“I’m not too sure (what needs to happen for a senior recall), I’ll put my hand up to play anywhere, I’ve shown in the past I can play forward and can play mid as well so if you’ve got multiple positions it gives yourself the best opportunity.
“At the moment I’m just focused on winning for the Maggies and playing some good footy myself.”
The Magpies play minor premier Woodville-West Torrens at Adelaide Oval this Sunday where a win would secure direct passage to the grand final.
“It’s finals footy, momentum shifts, I think what’s really important in any team is if your leaders stand up in the big moments and we’ve got such a young side,” Young said.
“So if myself, Lobbes (Matthew Lobe), Summo (Steven Summerton), can stand up in those moments it gives so much confidence to the young boys and they follow the lead and do it as well.
“We’ve been the in-form team for the comp the second half of the season, and they’re (Sturt) midfield is really strong so it was a good test for us (on the weekend).
“Really tough games like that build character and give you some momentum going into the next week.”
reece.homfray@news.com.au