Will Lorenz aiming to add both size and speed to cement place under Josh Carr era, Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier to train with Port Adelaide
Will Lorenz is hoping to add both size and speed to his young frame as he pushes for more game time in 2026. Meanwhile, one of the draft’s hard-luck stories will audition for a list spot at Port.
Port Adelaide youngster Will Lorenz is hoping a dual focus of putting on size but also improving his speed can win him a consistent role in the new look Power.
Lorenz has played eight games for the Power over the past two years, with six of them coming in 2025.
It has been a period of big change at the Power and the 20-year-old is hoping he can be a part of the new era.
A spot on the wing should be up for grabs after Travis Boak’s retirement but Lorenz said he felt like that was not the only path into Josh Carr’s team.
“I think for me personally, it’s obviously to play more senior games,” he said.
“I’ve had a few chances here and there last year and in my first year. So I’m sort of looking to lock down a few more games I think (there is opportunity there).
“I feel like I’m quite versatile as a player, so I’m open to playing many different positions, whether that be on the wing, inside or half back. So yeah, I’m pretty happy to play wherever.”
To do this Lorenz had two main focuses in his off-season.
“The main thing for me was just putting on a bit of size and (working on) my speed,” he said. “That sort of area, just trying to get a bit quicker. So, if that helps me play a bit more inside mid then that’d be good.
“I’ve put on, since the end of season, probably six kilos. I’ve just been eating and being a gym rat really.
“Yeah, it’s definitely tough (balancing putting on size with improving running).
“Obviously putting on weight, you’re going to be heavier, and it tends to mean that you’re going to be a bit slower.
“But I worked with a sprint coach back in Melbourne, so I think that’s put in good stead for this year.
“It’s an area that I know I need to improve on. So I got in pretty early, and got a sprint coach there, and went to the track and did a bit of stuff there.
“I think anything that can grow my game and give me more opportunity to play at senior level, then definitely embrace that.”
Lorenz signed a one-year extension to the end of 2026 after the end of the Power’s year.
He said playing more senior games would take care of this.
“Obviously it’s been my dream for a long time to play AFL. And to sign an extension for one year is great,” he said.
“And then this year is definitely a focus trying to get another one and like I said before, try and play some more senior games.”
Meanwhile, overlooked draft prospect Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier has been the fourth player offered the chance to try out for a list spot at Port Adelaide after a successful medical last week.
The North Adelaide product was one of the hard-luck stories of the 2025 draft with a handful of clubs, including the Power, considering him late in the piece.
Oudshoorn-Bennier completed a medical with Port Adelaide on Friday morning and began training with the Power on Monday.
He is vying for one of the two open rookie spots at the Power, along with his SA teammate Balynn O’Brien, former Magpie and Roo Jaidyn Stephenson, and 21-year-old East Fremantle small forward Mitchell Zadow.
Oudshoorn-Bennier had an eye-catching season while playing through a tear in his shoulder socket, opting against surgery that would have sidelined him for the national championships.
A powerful 181 centimetre mid-forward with a penetrating kick, Oudshoorn-Bennier impressed under duress for South Australia throughout their championship-winning campaign.
He went on to shine at SANFL reserves level for North Adelaide, where he averaged 25 disposals and five clearances across six matches, and broke through for two league games for the Roosters in round 18 and 19.
Stephenson announced his shock retirement at the end of 2024 after 122 games but reignited his passion for the game captaining his junior club Ferntree Gully in the Eastern league this year.
Port Adelaide captain Connor Rozee noted last week that he had made a promising first impression.
Originally published as Will Lorenz aiming to add both size and speed to cement place under Josh Carr era, Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier to train with Port Adelaide
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