Peel eyes defence of the future

blackdiamond

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Dec 7, 2000
Posts
8,341
Likes
554
Location
Melbourne, Victoria
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Other Teams
New Orleans Saints, Detroit Tigers
Thread starter #1
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.
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

Joined
Feb 21, 2002
Posts
55,200
Likes
87,542
Location
Port Adelaide 5015
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Other Teams
Port Adelaide Magpies
Moderator #2
Saw a bit of Peel and Chaplin on the news tonight. Both pretty solid units, Peel reminds me of the young Stewie Dew. Solid upper body, big thighs. I've read he can give the ball a roost too. And that hair - you don't appreciate how red it is!
 

PJ Power

Brownlow Medallist
Joined
Oct 13, 2003
Posts
18,231
Likes
19,042
Location
Adelaide
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
#3
The pleasing aspect to our drafting is that we picked up players who naturally have some size about them. Peel and Chaplin already look physically strong, while at least Pettigrew has height and Symes is no shorty for a running player.

Previously our onballers especially have struck me as being smaller with less physical presence than those of Brisbane and Collingwood (Voss, Buckley, Burns especially). I dunno, maybe it's just our guernseys????;)
 

mic59

Brownlow Medallist
Joined
Jul 20, 2002
Posts
18,205
Likes
10,194
Location
Alberton, the chosen land
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Other Teams
Blyth Spartans, Dallas Cowboys
#4
I can now see an additional reason for drafting Robert Forster-Knight. Although we have a good young defence here it is doubtful they will get much of a chance for 1 or 2 years. Maybe more as defenders will generally have to mature physically. Our defence is aging so players who can step straight into defence become a necessity. Look for RFK, Dom, JB and Kane spending some time in defence in 2004 and 2005. And Bishop and Thrust will have to step up as the KPP's.

JB has been good in defence or on the ball so a move to half-back could be just what is needed.
 
Joined
May 11, 2003
Posts
1,985
Likes
0
Location
Left of the middle
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Other Teams
Port Adelaide
#5
Originally posted by Scott
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.
Ten bucks he ends up at St Michaels.
 

Portia

#DrewBlood
Joined
Oct 7, 2001
Posts
50,781
Likes
24,640
Location
Fragile bastion of liberalism
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Other Teams
Muckbuckle Dolmens
#6
Originally posted by mic59
I can now see an additional reason for drafting Robert Forster-Knight. Although we have a good young defence here it is doubtful they will get much of a chance for 1 or 2 years. Maybe more as defenders will generally have to mature physically. Our defence is aging so players who can step straight into defence become a necessity.
Before the draft, we already had 10 players who play almost exclusively as defenders - Wakelin, Montgomery, Wanganeen, Hardwick, Wilson, Bishop, Poulton, Thurstans, Kingsley, Gilham.

We have added another 5 now. To me, Forster-Knight seems like overkill on defensive depth, as the only mid-sized defender we lost was Guerra. Its actually not a bad thing for teenage defenders to get some AFL experience - especially when its only in case of severe injury which we'd need to get down to them. How else would we know that the Guerras are so good?
 
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Posts
1,597
Likes
264
Location
3004
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
#7
Originally posted by Porthos
Before the draft, we already had 10 players who play almost exclusively as defenders - Wakelin, Montgomery, Wanganeen, Hardwick, Wilson, Bishop, Poulton, Thurstans, Kingsley, Gilham.

Thus we free up Kingers for the midfield and the long-awaited Norm Smith.
 

PowerGirl36

Club Legend
Joined
Apr 29, 2001
Posts
1,101
Likes
10
#8
Wow, he is only 4 months older than me and I couldn't imagine leaving home at this age. Playing footy away from home, having to do year 12 at a new school, living with a different family - how do they do it! He seems pretty mature though.

By the way, does orange look good with teal? ;)
 

Macca19

Moderator
Joined
Jan 14, 2001
Posts
59,712
Likes
60,238
Location
Albertr0n
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Other Teams
MUFC, Orlando Magic
Moderator #10
A female friend of mine in Melbourne is friends with him and partied with him the night he got drafted. Apparently he was very happy to be coming to us, which is always a good sign. I like the sound of him, his body looks almost AFL ready too, he may get games in the pre season if he puts in.
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

Top Bottom