Riley Bonner named Round 1 AFL Rising Star after standout performance against Fremantle

ROUND 1 Rising Star Riley Bonner says Port Adelaide’s off-season recruitment drive has swelled the club’s depth and helped power up all parts of the ground.

Riley Bonner gets a handball off. Picture: Sarah Reed

RISING Star Riley Bonner says Port Adelaide’s glut of recruits has swelled the club’s depth and helped power up all parts of the ground.

Bonner, 21, was named the Round 1 Rising Star nominee after blitzing Fremantle with 31 disposals on Saturday in a performance likely to earn the defender Brownlow Medal votes.

The South Australian — who grew up an Essendon fan idolising Michael Hurley and James Hird — has worked tirelessly on his defensive game in the past 12 months.

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Bonner scored 119 SuperCoach points against the Dockers as he recorded 689m gained in just his fifth AFL game.

The Power selected Bonner with pick 37 in the 2015 draft and coach Ken Hinkley has groomed him as a quarterback-type rebounding backman.

“For me it’s really focusing on my defence first and foremost,” Bonner said.

Riley Bonner in action against Fremantle. Picture: Sarah Reed

“Cutting out leads and helping our team defend when they have the ball. My offence then comes from my defence that I’ve worked on.

“Ken wants me to defend hard and then when we have the ball use your weapons, that’s what he says to me.”

Bonner, who grew up playing soccer and footy, lined up on Bailey Banfield and ex-Sun Brandon Matera on Saturday and praised the impact of Port’s new players.

“Those boys fit in perfectly with our team and our system structure,” he said.

Riley Bonner in action in Round 23 last year. Picture: Sarah Reed

“Rocky (Tom Rockliff) in the middle, Mots (Steven Motlop) brings that extra spark and power and Wattsy (Jack Watts) up forward always presents and works hard and them Dom on the wing thrives off running.”

Bonner said he knuckled down midway through last year to work on his defensive game with coach Jacob Surjan.

The youngster, who is mentored Hamish Hartlett, will line up against Sydney superstar Lance Franklin when Port travels to the SCG on Sunday.

“I played him (Franklin) in my first ever JLT game and he knocked me around a bit,” Bonner said.
“But I’m a bit stronger now.”