Koroit export Willem Drew ready for Port Adelaide's AFL preliminary final

It's hard to argue when you search for photos of Port Adelaide footballer Willem Drew.

In most of them he's laying a tackle.

It sums up the inside midfielder's impact for the AFL preliminary finalist in season 2021.

COMMENT: Leagues play part, now it's time for government call

Drew, who played in three senior premierships for Hampden league club Koroit as a teenager, has averaged 6.8 tackles a game this year.

He laid 11 in the Power's qualifying final win against Geelong a fortnight ago. It was a game-high and crucial to stopping the Cats in their tracks.

Drew, who has played every game this season after an injury-interrupted start to his career, said it was an aspect of the game which came naturally to him.

"I think it's always been a part of my game, pressure and tackling," he told The Standard.

"It's something Kenny (Hinkley) and 'Schoey' (Jarrad Schofield), our midfield coach, are encouraging me to do and to give a four-quarter effort, that is my role in the team."

Drew, 22, is also averaging 18 disposals a game.

The Warrnambool-raised footballer's teammates are now accustomed to the quick handballs he delivers out of congestion.

"I am able to learn off two of the best midfielders in the competition," he said.

"Ollie (Wines) is one of the favourites for the Brownlow and 'Boaky' (Travis Boak) has been a superstar of the competition for a long time.

"For me it's about learning as much as I can and to keep improving myself and doing my bit for the team. It's a good mix in there."

Drew arrived at Alberton Oval via the 2016 national draft.

He came as a seasoned performer, having played against men in the Hampden league from the age of 15.

But foot injuries beset him and restricted him to 10 games in his first four seasons at Port Adelaide.

Self-doubt crept in. But he now feels comfortable in the Power's best 22.

"My first couple of years were a bit difficult with a few injuries and things like that and I am just really happy to be back playing and training," Drew said.

"Looking back, going through those injuries and different surgeries, it (playing) definitely makes it worth it.

"Injuries make you doubt whether you're good enough or whether your body will hold up and I am really grateful the club was able to extend my contract and hopefully I am repaying them a little bit.

"I am really pleased to have played every game this year and I am really excited for this week and hopefully one more as well."

Drew is always looking for ways to add to his repertoire.

"I still have a lot of improving to do and finding a balance with my pressure and also finding a way to still have an impact on the game offensively is something I am definitely trying to improve on, to become a more consistent all-round player," he said.

He credits his home club, which he still follows closely, for helping develop skills needed to thrive at AFL level.

"I am extremely fortunate and very lucky to be a part of the Koroit football club and being exposed to senior level at a young age and I think it's definitely helped me in my career so far," Drew said.

"Playing in the grand finals as well was a great experience for me and definitely something I'll take into the next couple of weeks."

Port Adelaide will host Western Bulldogs - fresh off a thrilling one-point semi-final win against Brisbane - at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.

Win and it will face either Melbourne or Geelong in the grand final at Perth's Optus Stadium.

"I am really excited. Obviously I am playing my first final series in the AFL and I'm trying to embrace it all and enjoy it," Drew said.

"You do realise it doesn't come around every year."

It's been a second AFL season played in unusual circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent border restrictions.

"It has been a massive change. For us, we've been travelling on game day and quarantining after games," Drew said.

"I suppose things have changed for everyone. You look at Victoria and how long they have been in lockdown and things like that, so we have got it pretty lucky over here in South Australia with COVID and not many restrictions."

Border restrictions means Drew's family will follow his flag quest from afar.

Mum Rosemary and dad Terry will watch from Warrnambool and older siblings Maddy and Haydn from Melbourne.

"I'd love to have them over here and I'm sure they'd love to be here watching but they'll be back home in Warrnambool and I'm sure they'll be glued to the TV," he said of his parents.

Drew's girlfriend Sophie Daly, who hails from Koroit, has moved to South Australia and will be in the grandstands.