Tall order in AFL Draft strengthens Port Adelaide’s future stocks

PORT Adelaide has used its late involvement in the draft to extend its premiership window in a precise work of list management.

Former footballer and cricketer Geoff Parker recruiting manager for Port Adelaide Football Club preparing for AFL draft.

PORT Adelaide has used its late involvement in the draft to extend its premiership window in a precise work of list management.

Power recruiting manager Geoff Parker came into the AFL national draft at the Gold Coast Convention Centre on Friday night with specific intentions; holes needed to be plugged for the next few years so that Port’s flag chances don’t evaporate because of retiring or injured players.

The club is already preparing for life after Jay Schulz, the club’s most prolific goalkicker, who is coming into the autumn of his career.

For that, Port named Dougal Howard, a key forward from the Murray Bushrangers who is mobile and loves a goal.

He has time to develop, because Schulz, 29, shows no signs of slowing down. Ideally, Howard plays alongside Schulz for his first years as a regular before contending for the No. 1 mantle in attack.

``We came into the draft being able to pick a few talls and add some depth to all parts of the ground,’’ Parker said. ``We’re pretty happy with that.

``We wanted to add some depth to our key position stocks. Schulzy’s getting towards the end of his career — whenever that might be — and we were able to bring in a key defender as well.

The other areas that needed attention hit Port Adelaide in the face this season. The club’s form slump coincided with injuries to key defenders Alipate ``Bobby’’ Carlile and Jackson Trengove.

It led the club to look for tall defender Logan Austin, who also has the ability to play forward.

``Logan can spend some time developing but we noticed that period (when Carlile and Trengove were injured),’’ Parker said. ``But both Howard and Austin can play forward or back so we’re happy with them.

And the club had to address its ruck stocks, because with Brent Renouf and Jarrad Redden on the sidelines, Matthew Lobbe had to carry the load on its own.

He turned out to be the player Port could list afford to get injured as it raced deep into the finals this season.

But the key to the Power’s selections was the future, because the club has a strong list contending for a flag in the short-term.

``We were fortunate in that our list has developed,’’ Parker said. ``They’ve been strong for the last couple of years so we could add a bit of depth and the boys don’t have to be rushed in.

``They can spend their time with `Burgo’ (fitness coach Darren Burgess) and the conditioning boys in the gym, building up their endurance and their bodies and play with the Magpies and just develop at a pace that’s comfortable.

``We need to be patient with all of them, but you really just don’t know (how soon they will play (in the AFL).

``If the boys turn up and train really well and impress the coaches, Ken will pick them. But we’re not putting any pressure on them to be ready to play (in the AFL) by round one.’’

Hinkley’s other instruction to Parker was to pick players with the right character to fit in at Alberton.

All four of the Power’s selections had passed that test in interviews.

``It’s something we’ve focused really strongly on for the past couple of years,’’ Parker said. ``Strong character with a determination to compete every time. Our four boys will do that.’’

Port’s selections were Howard, Austin, forward Jesse Palmer and ruckman Billy Frampton.