REPLACING 261-game veteran Darryl Wakelin was never going to be an easy task, but the Power are confident they’ve found their man.
Fijian-born defender Alipate “Bobby” Carlile played nine games in 2007 as Port Adelaide prepared for life after Wakelin. Now, the 20-year-old is ready to make the full back spot his.
Carlile, who is a cousin to Power onballer David Rodan, stood Warren Tredrea in the club’s internal trial on Saturday night and kept the four-time All-Australian goalless.
Defender Troy Chaplin said Carlile had been working hard to add to his 192cm, 95kg frame during the summer months.
“Alipate Carlile has been fantastic on the track,” Chaplin said.
“He’s improved his fitness, he’s been lifting heavy weights in the gym and he’s really bulking up.
“Bobby’s a big boy, so he’s fairly strong. He’s also quick across the ground and he has great skills, so it’s just his inexperience [that’s a weakness] at the moment.
“He’s only played 10 games, but hopefully he can play 22 this year and really build on that experience to become a great full back.
“I think the way he played on Tredders the other night showed that he’s certainly got the ability.”
Wakelin sacrificed part of his AFL swansong to help develop his apprentices, which included both Carlile and Chaplin.
Chaplin said it would take more than just one person to compensate for the leadership and stability Wakelin once provided in defence.
“Darryl is going to be a huge loss to the side,” Chaplin said.
“Obviously, Darryl had more than 250 games of experience and with Michael Wilson (achilles) down too, it does make our back line inexperienced.
“It’s not going to be a smooth transition with Alipate, but it’s a transition he’s willing to take on and one we’ve got to be willing to help him out with.
“Guys like myself, Michael Pettigrew, Toby Thurstans and Jacob Surjan also need to take that next step and really evolve as footballers.
“But it doesn’t just come from the defence. It comes from each of the 40 players on the list looking to improve each other, and that’s what we’re all about. We’re a teaching side and we want to improve as a group and hopefully, one day, get back to that premiership stage.”
Port Adelaide will take on Carlton at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night in the club’s first NAB Cup hit-out.
For Chaplin and company, the talented Blues forward line of Brendon Fevola, Jarrad Waite, Brad Fisher and Eddie Betts will provide a good test first-up.
Chaplin, who finished the 2007 season in career-best form, is looking to take his game to another level in 2008.
“I’m going into my fifth season and have played 40 games, so I think I really have to step up now,” he said.
“Consistency has been a problem with my game in the past, but I really took the way I finished last year into this pre-season and now I’m looking forward to the season starting and our young back line doing its job.”
