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courtesy of www.portadelaidefc.com.au
Peel eyes defence of the future
Power draftee Luke Peel met the club’s three other teenage newcomers on Monday and saw what he hoped was the start of a long and close association.
The foursome of Peel, Troy Chaplin, Brad Symes, and Michael Pettigrew all play in defence and Peel liked the idea of playing together with his new mates for many years to come.
Peel was drafted from Sandringham Dragons (TAC U18 Cup) with the Power’s third selection (no. 34 overall) at last month’s draft and the medium sized defender is known for his strong body, good hands and endurance running.
With backmen like Hardwick (31), Wanganeen (30), Montgomery (30), and Wakelin (29) in the latter part of their careers, Peel sees an opportunity for himself down the track without the pressure of being needed right away.
“It gives me the confidence that the team's going to rebuild for the future,” he told media representatives at his first Power training session on Monday.
“It means you don't have to make an impression straight away (but) that they're looking for the future with an ageing defence.”
Meeting the other new players and knowing they were all starting out together was also of comfort.
“It's going to help. I went to Ireland (as part of the U18 AIS team) with Troy, so that's made it a lot easier and Brad and Michael are from the same sort of background,” he said.
“We will be able to stick together and build a good friendship together for the long haul. Hopefully one day we can all play in the back half together.”
Peel will be the youngest player in the AFL in 2004, having only qualified as eligible to be drafted by a mere four days. He won’t turn 18 until 26 June, next year.
Peel said it was a shock to be drafted by Port Adelaide and his Mum had struggled with the thought of him moving away from their Melbourne home.
“I was a bit shocked at first,” he said. “My mum was a bit upset but she's come around. I hadn't spoken to Mark (Williams) before I came here so I didn't think I was going to get a look in here. But I'm happy to come, it's such a good club.”
Peel will now get on with doing a strong pre-season and improving his all round game, with one area in particular to focus on.
“I’ve got to try and put in hard pre-season and see how it goes, try to make a name for myself but whether it's playing in the SANFL or not I have to try to improve my football, that's the main goal,” he said.
“The main area I need to work on is my decision-making. Coming out of defence running with the ball I have to try to find the right option to kick to rather than kicking long, which I tend to do on most occasions.”
As well as being a gifted footballer, Peel is a very well performed student and had he stayed in Melbourne he would have finished his schooling under a Brighton Grammar scholarship, which is one of Melbourne’s most prestigious colleges.
Instead, he will find a new school in Adelaide and complete his Year 12 studies probably over the next two years, as teammate Steven Salopek is in the middle of doing.
Peel eyes defence of the future
Power draftee Luke Peel met the club’s three other teenage newcomers on Monday and saw what he hoped was the start of a long and close association.
The foursome of Peel, Troy Chaplin, Brad Symes, and Michael Pettigrew all play in defence and Peel liked the idea of playing together with his new mates for many years to come.
Peel was drafted from Sandringham Dragons (TAC U18 Cup) with the Power’s third selection (no. 34 overall) at last month’s draft and the medium sized defender is known for his strong body, good hands and endurance running.
With backmen like Hardwick (31), Wanganeen (30), Montgomery (30), and Wakelin (29) in the latter part of their careers, Peel sees an opportunity for himself down the track without the pressure of being needed right away.
“It gives me the confidence that the team's going to rebuild for the future,” he told media representatives at his first Power training session on Monday.
“It means you don't have to make an impression straight away (but) that they're looking for the future with an ageing defence.”
Meeting the other new players and knowing they were all starting out together was also of comfort.
“It's going to help. I went to Ireland (as part of the U18 AIS team) with Troy, so that's made it a lot easier and Brad and Michael are from the same sort of background,” he said.
“We will be able to stick together and build a good friendship together for the long haul. Hopefully one day we can all play in the back half together.”
Peel will be the youngest player in the AFL in 2004, having only qualified as eligible to be drafted by a mere four days. He won’t turn 18 until 26 June, next year.
Peel said it was a shock to be drafted by Port Adelaide and his Mum had struggled with the thought of him moving away from their Melbourne home.
“I was a bit shocked at first,” he said. “My mum was a bit upset but she's come around. I hadn't spoken to Mark (Williams) before I came here so I didn't think I was going to get a look in here. But I'm happy to come, it's such a good club.”
Peel will now get on with doing a strong pre-season and improving his all round game, with one area in particular to focus on.
“I’ve got to try and put in hard pre-season and see how it goes, try to make a name for myself but whether it's playing in the SANFL or not I have to try to improve my football, that's the main goal,” he said.
“The main area I need to work on is my decision-making. Coming out of defence running with the ball I have to try to find the right option to kick to rather than kicking long, which I tend to do on most occasions.”
As well as being a gifted footballer, Peel is a very well performed student and had he stayed in Melbourne he would have finished his schooling under a Brighton Grammar scholarship, which is one of Melbourne’s most prestigious colleges.
Instead, he will find a new school in Adelaide and complete his Year 12 studies probably over the next two years, as teammate Steven Salopek is in the middle of doing.

