Former basketballer Jacob Moss signs with Port Adelaide as category B rookie

A basketballer who was previously part of the Adelaide 36ers academy has signed with Port Adelaide and declared it’s “where I was meant to be”. Find out more about Jacob Moss here.

Port Adelaide will make a number of changes this week. Picture: Getty Images

Former basketballer Jacob Moss will join Port Adelaide’s list in 2025 as a category B rookie.

The Power have been given AFL approval for the 19-year-old to train with the club for the rest of the 2024 season before he officially joins its list in 2025.

He can also be selected for Port’s SANFL side this year.

Moss, who stands 198cm, was a junior footballer at West Adelaide but hasn’t played since under-15s.

Prior to joining the Bloods, Moss played junior football for Colonel Light Gardens Football Club and continued through his early high school years at Immanuel College.

A former member of the Adelaide 36ers academy, Moss was initially noticed by AFL scouts during the Australian under 20s basketball championships in 2023.

Port Adelaide list manager Jason Cripps said Moss’ skills and athletic ability had caught the eyes of recruiters.

Port Adelaide category B signing Jacob Moss. Picture: Matt Sampson

“Jacob is athletic and particularly strong in the air, with an excellent running vertical jump,” Cripps said.

“He has a good sporting base across basketball and junior football and we expect him to develop well in a professional AFL environment.

“Jacob is a smart, mature young guy who is already fitting in really well with his teammates. He has taken this opportunity with both hands and we look forward to officially having him as part of our list in 2025.”

Coming from NBL1 club Sturt Sabres, Moss is giving up a dream of playing college basketball in the US to pursue a possible footy career.

“The last week training with the team has just been so surreal,” he said.

“Leaving basketball and spending the last year training and trying to get here, finally being at the club and being welcomed so much by the players and staff, it’s been amazing. I couldn’t ask for anything more.

“As a basketballer, I was always known as the kid who used to play footy. You could always tell that footy was where I was meant to be.”

BERGMAN SWITCH LIKELY AS PORT RINGS CHANGES

— Matt Turner

Miles Bergman will be unleashed further up the ground as Port Adelaide looks to get him more of the ball and cover the loss of halfback Kane Farrell.

Farrell has been ruled out of the Power’s home match against bottom-placed Richmond on Saturday night in what may be a fourth forced change for the hosts.

Forward Jeremy Finlayson is sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a lacerated spleen, defender Lachie Jones is in concussion protocols and spearhead Todd Marshall is unlikely to feature because of a hip issue.

Long-kicking left-footer Farrell reported hamstring tightness on Tuesday and scans later confirmed a low-grade strain.

Miles Bergman is set for a role change. Picture: Getty Images

Bergman, who had played on bigger forwards during Esava Ratugolea’s three-week absence from the AFL team, said coach Ken Hinkley had forecast a role switch for the Tigers game.

“I might move up the ground a little bit to take his (Farrell’s) spot and then we’ll see what else goes on,” Bergman said.

“(Hinkley) suggested it to me, he said you can start getting the ball for once’, so we’ll see how that goes.

“We like to pride ourselves on our depth and have got plenty of players who can fill roles.”

Bergman said he had felt more nervous going into matches when he played more defensive roles on taller opponents.

“I feel like it’s more pressure,” he said.

“Most of the forwards I play on have got five or 10cm on me.

Bergman has been giving up height on his opponents in recent times. Picture: Getty Images

“Luckily I’m pretty gifted with a good jump so I can compete with them in the air.

“It’s grown on me … but it’ll be good to get a bit of a change-up.”

Port Adelaide has a host of experienced players in line for an AFL return.

Forward Mitch Georgiades is back after a one-week suspension, defenders Ratugolea, Ryan Burton, Josh Sinn and Dylan Williams are hoping for recalls, while goalsneak Willie Rioli is also available.

Bergman said Finlayson was remaining pretty positive after being in and out of hospital.

“Organs are so different (than typical injuries), it’s bigger than the game,” he said.

“We’re making sure we look after him and support him.

“Hopefully he’s on the mend now.”

The Power enters the round in ninth spot on the ladder with a 10-7 record, while Richmond is last with a 2-15 ratio.

Originally published as Former basketballer Jacob Moss signs with Port Adelaide as category B rookie