Rome Burgoyne signs with Port Adelaide’s SANFL team after being overlooked for father-son draft nomination

After being overlooked for a father-son nomination by Port Adelaide, Rome Burgoyne – the son of premiership player Peter Burgoyne – has decided on his next football move.

Port Adelaide has announced Rome Burgoyne will play in its SANFL side in 2025, a week after the Power passed on drafting him as a father-son selection.

The son of 2004 premiership player Peter and younger brother of current Power young gun Jase, Burgoyne is training with Port this pre-season.

It comes after Port decided against nominating him as a father-son for last week’s draft, along with fellow sons of guns Louie Montgomery, Oliver Francou and Ky Burgoyne.

Rome Burgoyne was considered the most likely of the four father-sons to be nominated by the Power, but under the SANFL’s new rules for AFL clubs he will line-up for the Magpies in 2025.

He played three games for them at state league level in 2024, in addition to his 10 under 18 games for Woodville-West Torrens where he averaged 22.9 disposals and 3.6 marks.

Port Adelaide did not nominate Rome Burgoyne as a father-son. Picture: Cory Sutton

“He shows great ability to take on feedback and implement it quickly into his game, and he has a natural ability to put himself into strong positions and is good in the contest,”

Port’s head of SANFL Paul Stewart said.

“His ground level defensive mentality is at a great level already for a young player and he sets up the ground well offensively.

“Justin Westhoff and Jason Williams have done some fantastic work with Rome through our father-son academy this year, and we are thankful to Woodville-West Torrens for the time they have put in to develop him, and how they are supporting him with this transition.”

Burgoyne said he was excited about the opportunity.

“I really enjoyed my three games with Port Adelaide this year and am keen to join them for the 2025 season,” he said.

“It’s cool to be training alongside my brother, and to play at the club that both he and my dad have played at.

“I’m excited to keep developing in a SANFL system within an AFL club.”

Rome Burgoyne tests at the draft combine.

He joins Francou and Central District player Jez McLennan, who played Gold Coast, in signing for Port Adelaide since the SANFL introduced its new list guidelines.

Meanwhile Adelaide has made the surprise addition of former North Melbourne player Blake Drury to its SANFL list.

The 20-year-old was the No. 1 pick in the 2022 rookie draft and played two years with the Kangaroos before being delisted at the end of the 2024 season.

The former Vic Metro captain went to Caufield Grammar with Crows young gun Josh Rachele and said he was excited to reunite with his former schoolmate.

“I went to school with Josh (Rachele) and we played some school footy together and got on really well with him, so I’m keen to train alongside him again,” he said.

“The opportunity to stay in an AFL environment will be great for my development, being a young player that’s really important to me and I think this will help me get the best out of my football.”

Adelaide does not have a list spot Drury can claim as an pre-season supplemental selection player.

Originally published as Rome Burgoyne signs with Port Adelaide’s SANFL team after being overlooked for father-son draft nomination