Port Adelaide secures former Demon Dom Barry with its final pick in national draft
NOT long ago Dom Barry was driving a school bus. Now he is on Port Adelaide’s list. How did the former Demon do it? Recap all the Power’s draft moves here.
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PORT Adelaide has handed former Demon Dom Barry a fresh beginning after picking up the speedy midfielder with its final pick in Friday night’s AFL national draft.
Barry, 23, was taken after three years ago walking out on Melbourne to be closer to family in Central Australia and becomes one of the draft’s most refreshing stories.
He spent time driving a school bus and living in the APY lands and played footy in the bush before last year joining Glenelg to play a fine season in the SANFL as he rediscovered his hunger for big-time football.
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Of the five players picked up by the Power, he was taken last but is most likely to debut first: he is ready made and has the midfield pace the Power was coveting going into the draft after losing Matt White and Jarman Impey from last season’s list.
Recruiting manager Geoff Parker was delighted at picking up the talented Barry, who went for the equivalent of loose change at No. 61.
“He obviously had the opportunity at Melbourne and then decided he wanted to invest a bit more time into his indigenous heritage, which is what he’s done,” Parker said. “He’s got some real speed by foot, which we were looking to get.
“He can carry the ball and get the ball inside 50.
“Of all the boys we picked up, he’s the one who can potentially play (immediately) because he’s a bit older and he’s been through the system before.”
Port also soundproofed its midfield for the post-Paddy Ryder era after picking up dual All Australian junior ruckman Sam Hayes with its first pick.
Hayes, a ruckman-forward from the Eastern Ranges in Victoria’s TAC Cup competition, had been seen as a top-20 prospect and AFL talent staff were surprised he had lasted as long as No. 47.
Hayes, 18, stands 203cm and weight 93kg and is considered mobile for a ruckman who can also play a forward role, much like Ryder.
He is a graduate of the AFL academy and was impressive for Vic Metro in this year’s under-18 national championships.
The Power picked up Kane Farrell, another AFL academy graduate, with its second pick at No. 51.
The left-footed Farrell was taken from the Bendigo Pioneers and also represented Vic Country this year and is described as a medium defender with rebounding ability.
“Elite left-foot kick, this boy,” AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan said. “Good on him, he’s got some real x-factor about him with that kicking. Also can take a grab.”
Farrell tested in the elite category at the draft combine in the agility run and the 20m sprint.
The club’s third pick, Jake Patmore, was another AFL academy player who was a big ball winner for Claremont in the WAFL while Joel Garner was the Vic Metro captain in the national under-18 carnival and impressed with his strength and courage.
Originally published as Port Adelaide secures former Demon Dom Barry with its final pick in national draft
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