Port Adelaide takes Cameron Sutcliffe in the mid-season draft while Crows pass on their pick

Port Adelaide looked within to bolster its stocks at Monday night’s AFL mid-season rookie draft by promoting its SANFL captain Cameron Sutcliffe.

Cameron Sutcliffe fires off a handball in the SANFL v WAFL state game. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

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Port Adelaide looked within to bolster its stocks at Monday night’s AFL mid-season rookie draft by promoting its SANFL captain Cameron Sutcliffe.

While the Crows passed on their pick 12, the Power was thrilled to be able to offer Sutcliffe an opportunity to add to his 104 AFL games he played with Fremantle by taking him at pick 9.

The Power told Sutcliffe, 27, on Monday afternoon that it would take him if he was still on the table at their selection and general manager of football Chris Davies said he was delighted.

New Port Adelaide SANFL marquee player Cameron Sutcliffe. Picture: Jordan Bianchini

“He put himself in a really good spot when he came to the club in the off-season and you’d have to speak to him but from his perspective I’m sure he may have had this (mid-season draft) in mind,” Davies said.

“We hadn’t committed to anything like that but he’s a ripping guy and he’s willing to do whatever the team needs, that’s why he played as much footy as he did at Fremantle and for us he has the ability to play as a defender or wingman.”

Davies said Port Adelaide never seriously looked at raiding a rival SANFL club because it was happy with what Sutcliffe could offer and he was already in their system.

“I’m super excited for another opportunity at the top level,” Sutcliffe said last night.

“This was my main goal after being delisted by Fremantle to hopefully get another chance on a list.

“For it to happen back home in SA is going to be really exciting for me and my family.”

Sutcliffe was drafted by the Dockers from Woodville-West Torrens with Pick No.71 in the 2011 national draft and was delisted after 104 games and 18 goals last year. He was scouted by Sydney late last year before joining Port Adelaide’s SANFL team.

Sutcliffe played 104 games for Fremantle after being drafted in 2011. Picture: Sarah Reed

List manager Jason Cripps said Sutcliffe had made a big impact in a short time at Alberton.

“And it’s been well documented we’ve had some injuries to some mature players so hopefully it gives Ken and the coaches another option if we continue to get some of those injuries,” Cripps said.

“He’s quite versatile, he can play multiple roles be it wing or down back, it’s certainly some insurance and gives Ken (Hinkley) and the coaches hopefully some options going forward.

“We were fortunate because Cam is with us, he knows our system, he knows how Ken wants us to play, he’s got a really good connection with the coaches and players already so it’s going to be a pretty easy transition.

“That was part of the reason we went down this path.

“I don’t think he’ll be travelling to China but he certainly gets his foot in the door and depending on what happens over the next few weeks he may get some opportunities, we’ll just see how we go.

Port's SANFL captain Cameron Sutcliffe attempts to smother Riley Knight. Picture: AAP Image/Russell Millard)

“He’s a terrific person, he’s made a really good contribution both on and off the field, he’s in really good form at the moment so we’re really pleased we’re able to bring him in and hopefully give him an opportunity.”

The Crows attended the draft in Melbourne but followed Hawthorn in passing on their selection because there wasn’t a player still available who they were after. List manager Justin Reid would not confirm which players they were looking at.

“We gave it serious consideration but it didn’t line up with our needs,” Reid said.

“There were no players at pick 12 that suited our list needs.

“We went in with an open mind but said we wouldn’t do it just for the sake of it.”

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