Debut in emerging Power midfielder's sights

HISTORY IN THE MAKING: Koroit export Willem Drew is impressing the Port Adelaide coaching staff as he pushes for an AFL debut. Picture: PAFC

PORT Adelaide footballer Willem Drew is working on his midfield craft as he strives to earn an AFL debut as an inside ball winner.

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The Koroit export will play in the Power's opening JLT Series match against Adelaide in stifling conditions in Port Pirie on Saturday.

Drew, 20, has overcome a serious foot injury which wiped out his entire 2018 season - his second on Port Adelaide's list - and will use the practice match to build his case.

"It is only a JLT game so the real stuff starts in a couple of weeks, so I am not getting ahead of myself too much and just want to put another good performance in and go from there," he told The Standard.

"It's going to be tight for spots, we've obviously got a lot of good players at the club so I am not really too worried about the timing of everything.

"I've just got to hopefully play some good footy and if an AFL game comes early or late, it doesn't really bother me. The main goal is just to play a game and go from there."

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Drew, who was drafted via the Hampden league in 2016, has enjoyed an injury-free pre-season and has made the most of the coaching talent at the Power's disposal, including 308-game AFL veteran Scott Thompson and Jarrad Schofield, who played 206 matches at the top level.

"We've got two midfield coaches - Scott who I've been working with for more of the inside stuff and Jarrad for more for the outside stuff and running patterns," he said.

SIGN OF THINGS TO COME: Willem Drew won three Hampden league senior premierships by the time he was 18. His performances helped him get drafted to AFL club Port Adelaide in 2016.

Drew, a three-time Koroit premiership player, said he was pleased with his recovery from a foot injury.

"Fitness was one area I had to tick off, just building that base back up and getting my foot right and preparing myself to back-up week to week," he said.

"I was on a modified program up until the Christmas break and then a month after the Christmas break I got back into full training and the foot is feeling really good and pulling up well so hopefully that continues."

Drew is committed to Port Adelaide until the end of 2020.

He is living with fellow Power rising stars and Victoria country exports Joe Atley and Kane Farrell.

"I am loving living over in Adelaide. It's a great place to live with the weather, the beaches, and I have a lot of great mates over here now so it's going well," he said.

"The vibe has been really good (at the club). I think we're a lot closer as a group and everyone is really excited for the season ahead."

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