Power rookie Martin Frederick seeks to emulate the show of Motlop, Rodan

He followed fellow African Emmanuel Irra the closest, but Port Adelaide rookie Martin Frederick also hopes to add some of the show of Daniel Motlop and David Rodan as he makes himself at home at Alberton.

Woodville-West Torrens footballer Martin Frederick before the AFL rookie draft. Picture: AAP/ Keryn Stevens

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Port Adelaide rookie Martin Frederick wants to blend the dash and flair of David Rodan and Daniel Motlop as he settles in as at Alberton but it was former player Emmanuel Irra who inspired him to take his football to the highest level.

Frederick, who was taken as alongside Kai Pudney as category B rookies from Port’s Next Generation Academy, is not short on role models.

He loved the flashiness and excitement of Rodan and Motlop — who inspired him while at Auskick — but followed Irra’s journey closely as a fellow African who made it onto an AFL list.

Frederick is of South Sudanese heritage and has also kept a close eye on players such as Sydney’s Aliir Aliir and North Melbourne’s Majak Daw.

Frederick, a 178cm, 74kg player in SA’s successful under-18 team this season, hoped to incorporate some of the traits from all of them as he begins his quest to make it as a footballer.

New Port Adelaide rookie Martin Frederick at training on Wednesday. Picture: Sarah Reed

“I’m a bit flashy,” he said. “I love a run and carry, a dummy here and there but I’m real hard at it. Love to compete.

“Make sure you play your role first and then show what you’ve got.

“I’m probably more inspired by Emmanuel Irra, the first SA bloke of African heritage to play in the SANFL.

“I was watching from a distance, met him when I was younger and has always a fan of him and tried to follow in his footsteps. And I remember getting an Auskick bag in ‘06.

“It had Daniel Motlop on there, David Rodan and I think that’s what started my flashiness — just watching David Rodan sell a bit of candy here and there, Daniel Motlop from the pocket every now and again. I think it’s just grown from there.”

Frederick credited Port Adelaide’s academy and being part of under-18 state team for much of his improvement this season.

“I think it helped me a lot,” Frederick said. “I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to be at the club (without it).

“It fast-tracked my development and made sure I was ready.

“Just being professional — making sure you do the right thing off the field and on the field as well.”

Frederick, SA teammate Kai Pudney and ex-Glenelg player Tobin Cox, 19, were getting accustomed to their new surroundings at Alberton on Wednesday.

Martin Frederick, Kai Pudney and Tobin Cox are about to address the media #pafclive pic.twitter.com/ThrblhvXZm

— Port Adelaide FC (@PAFC) November 28, 2018

All of them spoke about the professionalism expected of them at an AFL club, and Tobin was desperate to make the most of his time there after missing out on the draft last year.

It came as he was out of the game for close to 18 months with operations needed on his right shoulder.

But he said he never lost faith that he could make it on to an AFL list.

“I was always excited and pretty confident that if I played well I’d have a good chance,” he said. “At the end of year I wasn’t heaps confident — it wasn’t my best year — but I’m grateful to be here now.”