Power no certainty to be players in mid-season draft, Crows eye defenders

The Power are set to move injured star Sam Powell-Pepper to their inactive list, so what does this mean for their mid-season draft plans? Meanwhile, the Crows look to fill a glaring need.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 26: Sam Powell-Pepper of the Power is injures his knee during the 2024 AFL Round 07 match between the Port Adelaide Power and the St Kilda Saints at Adelaide Oval on April 26, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Port Adelaide will move injured leadership group member Sam Powell-Pepper to the inactive list, but the Power is no certainty to be involved in next week’s mid-season draft.

While Adelaide has three list spots it could fill, but the Crows are expected to make two selections at the most next week.

It is understood Adelaide has monitored former Gold Coast Sun Jez McLennan, who has been impressive for Central District in the SANFL.

The defender also created history as the first player to win the prestigious Fos Williams Medal as SA’s best performer in state games twice in the same season.

Toby Murray, brother of Crows defender Nick, has been training at West Lakes this year and playing in Adelaide’s SANFL side. Standing at 200cm, Murray is a ruck but started forward in the SANFL before being switched to defence prior to an injury.

Powell-Pepper will miss the rest of the season. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Powell-Pepper is out for the rest of the season after he suffered an ACL injury against St Kilda last month.

The Power will move him to its inactive list to give itself the ability to enter next week’s mid-season draft if there is a player it likes that is still available.

It is understood there are a couple of players in the pool that could make the Power enter the draft.

Nominations closed on Wednesday evening.

Among those who have nominated was Magpies player Logan Evans.

Originally from Norwood, the defender is with Port through the SANFL rookie program and has impressed for the Magpies, especially in his last game before getting injured with 26 disposals, five marks, six tackles and nine rebound 50s.

This led to Port great Tim Ginever to say recently on the FIVEaa sport show how much Evans had impressed him for the Magpies.

The 19-year-old has also nominated for a longer term 18-month contract as opposed to a short term six-month one.

Originally published as Power no certainty to be players in mid-season draft, Crows eye defenders