Port Adelaide picks Harrison Ramm, Ewan Mackinlay and Mani Liddy in the AFL mid-season rookie draft
After opening up an extra two lists spots on the eve of the mid-season draft, Port Adelaide has swooped on three local products – one an exciting 202cm project player.
AFL News
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Port Adelaide has looked to its own backyard to prop up its AFL list, plundering the SANFL with all three of its picks at Wednesday’s AFL mid-season rookie draft.
The Power used its three available selections on locals, selecting giant Glenelg teenager Harrison Ramm with its first pick at No. 3, classy North Adelaide midfielder/forward Ewan Mackinlay at No. 11 and hard-running Central District midfielder Mani Liddy at No. 16.
Mackinlay and Liddy represented South Australia at senior state level this season.
Port had a club-record three mid-season selections after placing injured trio Todd Marshall, Tom Cochrane and Xavier Walsh on the long-term injury list.
Former South Australian state under-18 player Ramm is an exciting, long-term project player who was unlucky to be overlooked at last year’s draft.
Standing at an imposing 202cm, the 18-year-old is an athletic defender who can ruck and also go forward.
He has played six league games for back-to-back premier Glenelg this season and possesses outstanding running ability for a big man, clocking a 6:29 2km time trial at the state combine last year.
“Still only 18, Harrison has physically matured over the pre-season and transitioned seamlessly into senior football this year,” Port national recruiting manager Geoff Parker said.
“At 202cm, he has the versatility to play multiple roles in defence, attack or as a ruckman.
“As a tall defender, he has shown that he can compete with the best SANFL talls and still has a lot of growth ahead of him.”
Mackinlay, 21, boasts genuine AFL traits, including speed, power and good run and carry.
He has played 21 SANFL league games in the past two years after joining the Roosters from Lavington in the Ovens and Murray League in NSW.
“Ewan’s game has evolved this season, rotating between forward and midfield roles,” Parker said.
“He has bursts of speed and agility and is able to work into space. Ewan also shows good game sense to set up scoring opportunities with and without the ball.”
Liddy, 23, has enjoyed a breakout year for the high-flying Bulldogs.
A former SA state under-18 captain, he won the Fos Williams Medal as the SANFL’s best player against the WAFL earlier this month, finishing with 20 disposals, three clearances and three tackles.
A 184cm Sturt product, he has played 51 league games and has averaged 22.6 disposals, five clearances and 4.3 marks at league level this season.
“Mani has continued to develop his game over the past few seasons and has this year become a damaging midfielder who anticipates quickly to get into a position to receive the ball,’’ Parker said.
“He is very clean below his knees and has shown that he can win the ball in the contest and has the endurance to work up and down the ground.”
Originally published as Port Adelaide picks Harrison Ramm, Ewan Mackinlay and Mani Liddy in the AFL mid-season rookie draft
Ex-AFL star charged with domestic violence
Former AFL player Ryan Crowley has faced court over domestic violence charges involving his ex-girlfriend, MAFS star Lauren Dunn.
Game over: council pulls plug on TV games at North Port
The City of Port Phillip has blocked Port Melbourne from hosting broadcast matches at North Port Oval – because the teams involved, including Collingwood and Richmond, aren’t local.