Dougal Howard signs four-year extension at Port Adelaide

Port Adelaide has locked away its spoiling specialist Dougal Howard until the end of 2022 after he signed a four-year contract extension.

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Port Adelaide has locked away its spoiling specialist Dougal Howard until the end of 2022 after he signed a four-year contract extension.

Two years after his career was put on hold with a knee reconstruction, Howard and the club are both being rewarded for their mutual faith with a new long-term deal.

The 22-year-old had been used as a forward and then pinch-hitter in the ruck as he emerged at the Power but this year cemented himself in defence with his good closing speed, vertical leap and ability to both mark and spoil in a contest.

He played 20 games in the 2018 and only missed two with a broken hand.

“I’ve got some good friends who have also signed on at the club for an extended amount of years and I think the club is heading in the right direction,” Howard said.

Dougal Howard of Port Adelaide spoils Mark Baguley of the Bombers. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

“We’ve got the personnel and we’re bringing in some new guys this year to do some really good things, and I feel really positive about us having some real success this year and going forward.

“The length of my contract means I don’t need to worry about it for a while now and I can just focus on improving myself as a player and ensuring I am playing good footy.”

Port’s football manager Chris Davies said he was excited by the improvement Howard still has in him given he’s only played 30 games at AFL level.

“Dougal’s size and pace are things we really like in our backline and we expect his continued development in the next few years,” Davies said.

“While he is still relatively inexperienced at AFL level, he has shown his potential in the games he’s played so far and he is an emerging leader among the playing group.”

Port Adelaide trained at Alberton on Monday morning. Charlie Dixon and Robbie Gray were among those in the rehab group while the leading candidate to replace Travis Boak as skipper - Ollie Wines - was first on the track and looking in great shape.

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