Port Adelaide's Willem Drew eager to continue consistent start

The 22-year-old has been a consistent member of Ken Hinkley's side this season, playing all nine matches in 2021 to bring his AFL tally to 19.

This season's run is Drew's longest since he strung eight together in the first half of 2019, the year he made his senior debut.

Drew joined the club after being selected with pick 33 in the 2016 National Draft. His first season in 2017 he spent in the SANFL while 2018 was ruined by a foot injury.

2020 was again a frustrating year for the Koroit premiership player as the foot injury returned and with no SANFL football due to the coronavius pandemic he spent much of the year watching from the sidelines.

But the natural midfielder is not resting on his laurels as he continues his quest to cement his spot in the Power's best 22.

"I've been playing in the midfield and bit of inside and outside - finding that balance," he said.

"I haven't had the most consistent season but if I keep bringing pressure and the effort, that is what the coaches are happy with.

"I've got to keep pushing to play games because there's quality people playing in the SANFL as well so there's pressure for spots.

"It's a great thing to have at a footy club but personally I can't control how other people play, it's just about doing the best I can and keep giving effort and pressure and all those little things."

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Drew, who won three premierships with Koroit before being drafted, has enjoyed being injury-free and back playing footy among some of Port's star on-ballers.

"I definitely feel confident in my body as I was a bit unfortunate with injury but I feel like I'm over them and I've been able to play a few games which is great because this is a great place to be," he said.

"We (the side) have been going ok. We've lost a couple of games to quality opposition that we think we should be able to win.

"The start of the year I've been happy to be back training and being around the group as I've been in rehab for a while.

"Now we're back in games I'm playing my role and have got some good mids like Travis Boak, Ollie Wines and Tom Rockliff around me.

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"I've been learning off them about the way I can keep playing my role and keep getting games."

Drew, who is averaging 18 disposals and five tackles a game, said he was targeting a number of areas for improvement in his game.

"I've been working on a few things like my ability to get from inside to outside is a big one and my reaction speed on turnover both offence and defence," he said.

"You've always got things to improve on and you're always adapting."

Drew, who is named in an extended squad, says they reviewed last week's tough loss to the Western Bulldogs and were ready to bounce back against Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday.

The Power currently sit fifth with six wins and three losses.

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