Versatile Panther Emmanuel Irra given permission to train with Power

SOUTH Adelaide speedster Emmanuel Irra is one step closer to his AFL dream after being granted permission to train with Port Adelaide ahead of the upcoming national, pre-season and rookie drafts.

Emmanuel Irra gets his kick away, despite pressure from Adelaide’s Troy Menzel during their semi-final clash in September. Picture: Tom Huntley

SOUTH Adelaide playmaker Emmanuel Irra is one step closer to his AFL dream after he was granted permission to train with Port Adelaide ahead of the upcoming national, pre-season and rookie drafts.

As revealed by The Advertiser in September, Irra caught the eye of Power recruiters in the SANFL and can join the AFL side if he is overlooked by rival clubs in the upcoming national, rookie and pre-season drafts.

The 22-year-old, 183cm and 82kg, has played 38 SANFL games for the Panthers in the SANFL and is listed by the Power as part of its “Next Generation Academy”.

Port has nominated him as a potential “Category B rookie”.

Irra and his family fled war-torn Uganda and arrived in Australia when Irra was just 11 in 2005.

He played football for Port Noarlunga in the southern suburbs and Sacred Heart College before making his SANFL league debut with the Panthers as a 17-year-old~ in 2011.

Irra has good pace and although hampered by knee and ankle injuries this year still played in South Adelaide’s semi-final loss to Adelaide, racking up 15 disposals..

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