Sam Powell-Pepper wants to remain at Port Adelaide, amid speculation other clubs were circling him at the end of last year
There were questions about where he sat in Port Adelaide’s best team. But after shining in his new role in attack, Sam Powell-Pepper says he hopes to extend his stay at the Power when footy restarts.
Port Adelaide
Don't miss out on the headlines from Port Adelaide. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- The day Tredders took a bow, and got hauled over the coals
- How to get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription
Reinvigorated by a move forward, Sam Powell-Pepper wants to stay at Port Adelaide – when new contracts can again be struck up.
Powell-Pepper played 19 games in 2019, but was dropped from the Power side on multiple occasions.
The 22-year-old also had to endure speculation that other AFL clubs would test Port Adelaide’s desire to keep him, as questions were raised about his place in the Power’s best team.
But after shining as a pressure forward with stints in the midfield in pre-season, and in Port’s Round 1 win against Gold Coast before the season was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic, Powell-Pepper is showing the talent that saw him finish third in the 2017 Rising Star.
Watch 15,000+ hours of on-demand sports content with KAYO SPORTS. The biggest Aussie sports and the best from overseas. Just $25/month. No lock-in contract. Get your 14-day trial >
“I got given a new role and I just embraced it, got a lot more closer with (forward coach) Nathan Bassett as a coach, just fed off him and asked him as many questions as I could,” he told The Advertiser.
“(I) got a pretty decent start (to the new role), I felt like I was thriving down there and playing my role pretty well.
“But once the games start back up I’m sure I can do the same thing.”
MORE NEWS
Magpies must be saved from extinction: Graham Cornes
Crows coach Nicks targets isolation edge
Port Adelaide coaches stood down until May 3, and feeling vulnerable
Powell-Pepper is one of many AFL players out of contract at season’s end who cannot sign a new deal because of the financial impacts the COVID-19 pandemic will have on the AFL and clubs.
He said it wasn’t something he was thinking about before footy was halted, but when talks do resume, staying at Port Adelaide will be his desire.
“I had a few little chats but nothing concrete (over a new deal at Port before the season was suspended),” he said.
“I was just more focused on this year and giving it a bit of a crack (on the field).
“I’m not too sure what will happen, me and a few of the boys are in the same boat.
“I love Port Adelaide.”
So impressive has he been in the new role, a new deal for Powell-Pepper would be acknowledged as a shrewd move by Port Adelaide – a stark contrast from last season when the questions raged.
Powell-Pepper said that speculation never affected him or his desire to stay at the club.
“That wasn’t a factor for me, it was just outside noise making stories up and what not,” he said.
“I’m happy with Port Adelaide and Kenny (Ken Hinkley) and that.
“That wasn’t a factor at all.”
Powell-Pepper is in Perth, making a quick trip home to Western Australia before borders were closed after Port’s Round 1 victory.
Self-isolating like all of the Power players and staff who went to the Gold Coast, Powell-Pepper said the suspension of the AFL season came at a horror time for Port given all the momentum the team had built.
“(It) definitely came at a pretty bad time, we had pretty good pre-season, got two good wins in the Marsh (Series) and then the Round 1 win, and just for the season to be cut like that is pretty flattening,” he said.
“But it is what it is, we just have to go with the flow and make sure we keep our fitness up so when we do get back playing we can hit the ground running.
“It’s a bit tough, but we are all staying connected through the Zoom app and a few of us are in different groups on WhatsApp, and talking most days, so it isn’t too bad.”