WITH the 2021 AFL Draft done and dusted, Rookie Me Central takes a look through each clubs’ hauls to assess the areas they bolstered and what each fresh face promises to bring to their new side. Next under the microscope is Port Adelaide, who got busy at the trade table on night one before capping its haul with three late picks on night two.

National Draft selections:

#12 Josh Sinn (Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro)
#55 Hugh Jackson (North Adelaide/South Australia)
#56 Dante Visentini (Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro)
#60 Jase Burgoyne (WWT Eagles/South Australia)

Rookie Draft selections:

#14 Trent Dumont (North Melbourne)
#22 Sam Mayes (Re-listed)

In one of the more talked about moves during this year’s first round, Port Adelaide swapped its first round pick and gave a future round two to West Coast to jump ahead of Essendon and snap up Josh Sinn. The Power were high on his talents and rightly so, with the Sandringham Dragons dasher considered a top five talent coming into the year. His size, versatility, and line-breaking abilities will become real weapons once he hits top form.

After not having much to do in the middle stages of night two, Port came back to life with consecutive picks in the 50s. Local midfielder Hugh Jackson was first up, adding even more running power to Port’s engine room after a dominant start to the Under 18 season. Another left-footer, his turn of speed and decision making make for handy assets on the attack.

With the very next selection, the Power packaged another Sandringham product in Dante Visentini, whose aggression and willingness to learn make him a developable tall. With Peter Ladhams on the move, Visentini has the versatility to provide apt ruck cover while also rotating to either end of the ground.

Port’s final National Draft coup was that of father-son nominee Jase Burgoyne, the son of 2004 premiership player, Peter. A silky mover with clean skills, he cut his teeth at Alberton in Port’s reserves side and has returned multiple strong Under 18 campaigns. He’ll likely start on a flank or the outside, given his light frame.

Looking at the remainder of Port’s haul, they afforded tall defender Sam Skinner a second chance at AFL level after his superb state league season, while delisted North Melbourne midfielder Trent Dumont adds even more experience around the ball via the rookie draft. Sam Mayes was also re-listed.