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According to the latest article in the Advertiser's post season series on Port, we will be looking for some ready to go players, either ex AFL or SANFL. Wonder if Corey Ah Chee could finally get a call up?
Port has mature outlook on draft
30oct03
PORT Adelaide is poised to draft two mature age players in next month's national draft.
And for the first time in three years the Power also is expected to participate in the pre-season draft, to be held in December.
The loss of class wingman Nick Stevens, who quit the club and is expected to join Carlton via the pre-season draft, the trades of Brent Guerra (to St Kilda) and Adam Morgan (Bulldogs) and cut-throat delistings of experienced trio Stephen Paxman, Adam Kingsley and Che Cockatoo-Collins as well as Paul Koulouriotis has left Port desperately needing to add depth to its talented player list.
A key defender or forward is at the top of its wish list, particularly with full back Paxman, who played all 25 games last year, gone.
"Mark (coach Mark Williams) has indicated a desire to draft a couple of players who can play a role next year," Power recruiting manager Alan Stewart said.
"Whether that's someone with AFL experience or from the local competition (SANFL), only time will tell.
"But Mark would like a couple who can play straight away."
The Power's failure to lure a quality key defender to Alberton in the trade period - it is understood to have narrowly missed out on signing disgruntled Hawk tall Jade Rawlings - has left it short of key defenders.
As it stands, Darryl Wakelin and Matthew Bishop are its only recognised defensive talls.
The 195cm Toby Thurstans, 23, has been inked in as Paxman's replacement but he is yet to prove he can play consistently good AFL football.
"There is no doubt for depth purposes we would like another key position player, whether it's a forward or back," Stewart said.
"If you look at what's gone off our list we probably need to add a couple of (ready-made) players."
The Power, which has ample young talent in Steven Salopek, Magarey Medallist Brett Ebert, Damon White and Stephen Gilham tucked away, has canvassed the SANFL and will watch tomorrow's final AFL delistings with interest as it sorts the wheat from the chaff.
In the past five national drafts, the Power has only once taken a mature-age player, re-drafting Jared Poulton with the 76th pick in 2001.
But it had previously worked wonders in the trade period, signing such quality players as Byron Pickett, Damien Hardwick, Brett Montgomery and Darryl Wakelin.
This year, handicapped by Stevens' desire to play only for Collingwood, it failed to lure any talent to the club.
Port has picks 15, 30, 34, 39 and 46 in the draft.
Three of those picks are expected to be used on teenagers.
While Kingsley is a chance to be re-claimed by the Power, it is believed Paxman's best chance of being re-drafted is by another club.
Stewart said there were about 10 standout teenagers in this year's draft pool with players chosen from the 11-to-50-pick range tipped to be taken on a talent as well as needs basis. Port is almost certain to save one spot on its list for the pre-season draft on December 16.
Meanwhile, Power star Gavin Wanganeen is today expected to announce he has signed a new deal to see out his career at Port.
Port has mature outlook on draft
30oct03
PORT Adelaide is poised to draft two mature age players in next month's national draft.
And for the first time in three years the Power also is expected to participate in the pre-season draft, to be held in December.
The loss of class wingman Nick Stevens, who quit the club and is expected to join Carlton via the pre-season draft, the trades of Brent Guerra (to St Kilda) and Adam Morgan (Bulldogs) and cut-throat delistings of experienced trio Stephen Paxman, Adam Kingsley and Che Cockatoo-Collins as well as Paul Koulouriotis has left Port desperately needing to add depth to its talented player list.
A key defender or forward is at the top of its wish list, particularly with full back Paxman, who played all 25 games last year, gone.
"Mark (coach Mark Williams) has indicated a desire to draft a couple of players who can play a role next year," Power recruiting manager Alan Stewart said.
"Whether that's someone with AFL experience or from the local competition (SANFL), only time will tell.
"But Mark would like a couple who can play straight away."
The Power's failure to lure a quality key defender to Alberton in the trade period - it is understood to have narrowly missed out on signing disgruntled Hawk tall Jade Rawlings - has left it short of key defenders.
As it stands, Darryl Wakelin and Matthew Bishop are its only recognised defensive talls.
The 195cm Toby Thurstans, 23, has been inked in as Paxman's replacement but he is yet to prove he can play consistently good AFL football.
"There is no doubt for depth purposes we would like another key position player, whether it's a forward or back," Stewart said.
"If you look at what's gone off our list we probably need to add a couple of (ready-made) players."
The Power, which has ample young talent in Steven Salopek, Magarey Medallist Brett Ebert, Damon White and Stephen Gilham tucked away, has canvassed the SANFL and will watch tomorrow's final AFL delistings with interest as it sorts the wheat from the chaff.
In the past five national drafts, the Power has only once taken a mature-age player, re-drafting Jared Poulton with the 76th pick in 2001.
But it had previously worked wonders in the trade period, signing such quality players as Byron Pickett, Damien Hardwick, Brett Montgomery and Darryl Wakelin.
This year, handicapped by Stevens' desire to play only for Collingwood, it failed to lure any talent to the club.
Port has picks 15, 30, 34, 39 and 46 in the draft.
Three of those picks are expected to be used on teenagers.
While Kingsley is a chance to be re-claimed by the Power, it is believed Paxman's best chance of being re-drafted is by another club.
Stewart said there were about 10 standout teenagers in this year's draft pool with players chosen from the 11-to-50-pick range tipped to be taken on a talent as well as needs basis. Port is almost certain to save one spot on its list for the pre-season draft on December 16.
Meanwhile, Power star Gavin Wanganeen is today expected to announce he has signed a new deal to see out his career at Port.

