Port Adelaide defensive duo Trent McKenzie and Jake Pasini have inked new deals to remain at Alberton, taking them through until at least 2023 and 2024, respectively.
McKenzie has played 38 games for the Power since making the move as a delisted free agent from the Suns in 2017. The 30-year-old has played just six games in 2022, with injuries and illness interrupting much of his season.
The experienced backman will now remain at the club for at least another year, with Port Adelaide list manager Jason Cripps expressing his value to the team while speaking to club media.
โTrent has had a frustrating season in 2022 after suffering a knee injury in the first few weeks of the season, but at his best he is an important part of our defence,โ Cripps said.
โHe brings experience and a unique defensive skill set that allows him to compete against both tall or small forwards.โ
Some good news for your Thursday ๐ซ๐
๐ฐ | https://t.co/7KyGAHaYh3#weareportadelaide pic.twitter.com/e4Zqgdsefj
— Port Adelaide FC (@PAFC) August 4, 2022
Key defender Pasini has inked his new two-year deal despite being yet to debut for the club, with a ACL injury suffered in May sidelining him for the 2022 season.
The 21-year-old was drafted with pick 8 in the 2019 AFL Rookie draft and while he is yet to feature at senior level, he has impressed across his 14 games at SANFL level.
โJake has had a tough start to his time with our club if you consider in 2020, we were unable to participate in the SANFL so he didnโt get to play any games and then he suffered a shoulder injury which interrupted his last season,โ Cripps said.
โHe had shown significant improvement this season and was close to AFL selection before he ruptured his ACL in May. But he has remained positive and diligent with his rehabilitation, and we expect him to continue to develop his craft as a key defender.โ
