Port Adelaide has announced that they will be retaining the services of Steven Motlop and Jed McEntee for the 2022 season.
The pair of small forwards have both signed one-year extensions to stay under Ken Hinkley's stewardship, as reported by the Alberton-based club via an official statement released on Monday afternoon.
Motlop, 30, has added 68-games to his career tally since making his way to the Power as an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of 2017.
This past season, Motlop managed 19 games, where he displayed his ability to drive the ball inside 50 efficiently and manage to do so seemingly untouched, with 11.7 of his 15.6 possessions per game being uncontested.
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Disposals
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McEntee made his way to Port this season after being recruited through the mid-season draft.
Although the 20-year-old hasn't really had an opportunity to shine at AFL level yet, having only played a few minutes after making his debut as the medical sub in Round 18, McEntee has done enough to earn the club's respect in training.
Jason Cripps, Port Adelaide's list manager, had the following to say in regards to the contract renewals:
“Both Steven and Jed are obviously at different stages of their careers but we are equally pleased to have them both sign on for at least another year,” he stated.
“Jed has attributes that we value and we were impressed with his development with the Magpies in the SANFL during the second part of the season after we recruited him from Sturt.
“Steven has played more than 200 AFL games providing experience for our younger emerging players and continues to play a role as a hard-running small forward who has great goal sense.”
The club's decision to re-sign both players speaks to their desire to have veterans mentor their next generation of stars.
Port Adelaide has adopted this mantra as of late, given that they look to keep their premiership window open for as long a possible.