“He has the potential to be the next Dustin Martin”

Port Adelaide young gun Sam Powell-Pepper could be the next Dustin Martin, according to former player Kane Cornes.

Powell-Pepper was picked up at number 18 by Port Adelaide in the 2016 draft and made his AFL debut in a round one win against Sydney the following year.

He earned the nomination for the NAB rising star for that round.

Cornes said on SEN Mornings that he believes that the 20-year-old midfielder has the potential to imitate the impact that Dustin Martin has had at Richmond, for his own team.

“He’s frightening,” the Port Adelaide games record holder said.

“I’ve never seen a first year player do what he has done.

“If he can work on his kicking a little bit, he has the potential to be the next Dustin Martin. That’s just the way he plays the game. (He has) the second best fend-off already.

“I think they (Port Adelaide) are pretty happy they’ve got him.”

In his debut season, Powell-Pepper averaged 17 disposals at 66.1 per cent efficiency, 2.9 clearances, 5.2 tackles and three inside 50s a game.

The youngster finished third in the NAB Rising Star behind Essendon’s Andrew McGrath and Hawthorn’s Ryan Burton.

Port Adelaide are set to begin their 2018 season at the Adelaide Oval on the 24^th of March against Fremantle.