CHINA PART OF BUILD-UP SAINTS ADD NEW FACE
Q The Power missed out on September action in 2016, is there anyone else that has stood out during the pre-season? A I had half a pre-season with Paddy Ryder last year and he is a big unit, very skilful and moves really well. He is impressive the way he trains and the way he goes about it. A few of the young draftees too, they look game ready right off the block. Joe Atley and Sam Powell-Pepper are looking good, from what I have seen they have been flying. I am looking forward to seeing a guy like Powell-Pepper playing with Ollie Wines this season for the footy club. They are both big bulls around the contest and are set for big years together. Q Port Adelaide will make history as the host of the historic first AFL Premiership Season game in China this season. The Power will travel to Shanghai’s Jiangwan Stadium to play the Gold Coast Suns on Sunday May 14, and it will be broadcast on Channel 7. Is that something you are looking forward to? A I am pretty excited about it actually. I have never been to China before. It would be an unreal experience to go over there and play in front of a totally different world and scene over there. It would be my first game against the Gold Coast after missing the occasion in 2016 so there is that element, too. We have a few extra days over there before the game which will be great. Maybe have a look at the Great Wall and do whatever else. Q Another Cairns Saints lad Jack Bowes joined the AFL in the summer. You sent him a tweet to congratulate him on being drafted almost straight after the draft happened. That must be great to have another from your junior footy club in the league? A My brother Jesse played with Jack a fair bit when he was captain. I saw him around the Gold Coast when I was still at the Suns, too. I went to a few Queensland junior games and saw him play there too. I actually saw him a couple of times while I was doing my pre-season running program in Cairns this summer. We ended up running together and doing drills together. It was good. He is a very silky player and I think he will go a long way. I’d say he is an impressive unit. Q Your brother and your old club Saints missed out of the grand final last season in AFL Cairns. He only played the seven games through injury. How do you see them going in 2017? A He had an unlucky year and we all have them sometimes when you can’t get out on the park. He will have a strong pre-season and get out there. You can never count out the Saints boys. It was the first time in nine years I think that they missed the grand final so I would say they will be really interested in coming back this year, bigger and stronger. They are a great club and that is why they have won so much, they are a great bunch of blokes and it is like they are a big family down there.