Former AFL great Kane Cornes has highlighted the performance of Port youngster Zak Butters in his opening JLT hitout.
Taken with pick No. 12 in his last year's draft, Butters impressed in the Power's loss to the Crows on Saturday, racking up 25 disposals, five marks and four tackles.
The 18-year old missed the second half of 2018 due to a shoulder reconstruction, but is now putting his hand up to feature in Ken Hinkley's best 22.
Cornes was so encouraged by what he saw from the rookie on the weekend that he has labelled Butters a lock for round one.
โGotta say, someone I like from Port Adelaide, was the story of the day, I think,โ Cornes told SEN SA Breakfast.
โFinally theyโve got a good number 18 down there.
โWasnโt he impressive? Just stamped his ticket for Round 1.
โHeโs the kid that Robbie Gray said to the recruiters, โyouโve just got to get himโ.
โI donโt know how Robbie got a hold of him and discovered him but he was big on getting this young kid and now heโs serving as a mentor for him.
โSuper impressive, 25 disposals, 6 of those contested. He had a very good goal assist early on to Sam Mayes. Heโll be there Round 1.โ
Cornes was also impressed with Port's other draftees Connor Rozzee (pick No. 5) and Xavier Duursma (pick No.18).
โA couple of other young kids just showed enough,โ he said.
โConnor Rozee, wasnโt a big game for him, just the six possessions but has shown enough that he will be there.
โI actually like Rozee across half-back from what Iโve seen at North Adelaide. But theyโll persist with him forward and through the midfield.
โ(Xavier) Duursma as well (nine possessions). Iโm not sure heโll hold his place when (Matthew) Broadbent and some more experienced players come back in.
โBut has a bright future as well.โ
