HERON’S DEBUT IS ONE FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS
JACOB Heron, another off the Palm Beach Currumbin high school production line, will make history tomorrow when he becomes the first player to make his AFL debut in China.
And he could be in for a baptism of fire after Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley warned his side to be prepared to match a fired-up Suns outfit seeking redemption.
“They will be fired up to be honest, they come here with a bit of venom,’’ he said.
The Suns brought Heron, a jet-heeled Cairns product, via the PBC nursery, into the side to replace suspended forward Sam Day.
Although Peter Wright travelled with the team, Dew stuck with his original belief that he needed another week in the NEAFL after a long lay-off with a calf injury.
Heron, 18, becomes the third debutant this year after Charlie Ballard and Brayden Crossley began their careers against the Bulldogs in Ballarat.
“Jacob is in the team because he gives us some excitement,” Dew said.
“He’s a product of our academy but also his nickname is ‘Speedy’ and that is what he has got, he’s got some pace and we feel like he can inject some into this footy side.”
Dew said although every player cherished and remembered their AFL debut, he conceded the novelty factor gave Heron a story he could tell forever.
However, he said Heron had travelled with the side to Perth earlier in the season when the Suns played backto-back games at Optus Stadium ,so he had some experience with being on the road.
Port Adelaide wingman Jared Polec has arrived safely in China after an appendicitis scare this week.