FORMER AFL journeyman Josh Mahoney was renowned for his fighting qualities throughout his three-club career and, now, Port Adelaide midfielder Greg Bentley, is determined to follow his mentor’s example.

Mahoney, a member of the Power’s inaugural premiership side, took Bentley under his wing during his four-year stint at Alberton and made such an impact on the former rookie that Bentley now wears his old number 22.

“I actually asked Mahns, after he retired, if I could wear his jumper. He had no problems with it and the club was happy with it too, so I got it,” Bentley said.

“I just liked the way he played. He played every game like it was almost his last and I always liked that about him.”

Bentley, who is out of contract at the end of the year, will endeavour to apply Mahoney’s ‘last-chance’ mentality to his own game this season in a bid to stake his claim on a spot on the Port Adelaide list for 2009 and beyond.

The strong-bodied Victorian played 12 games for the Power last season and was named as an emergency for the Grand Final, but spent the first half of 2008 playing for SANFL club Sturt.

Bentley featured regularly in the best players for the Double Blues and forced his way back into the Port Adelaide line-up in round 14.

“It was good to get back in the team. I thought I was good in that game without being outstanding, so it has given me something to build on,” Bentley said.

“I just have to give it everything for the next eight weeks and play as best I can. I need to stay in good form and then I’ll see what happens at the end of the year.

“I haven’t thought about my situation [being out of contract] too much actually and I’m just trying to enjoy my footy.”

Bentley, who started his career with Rosebud in Victoria, has his eyes on a place in the Port Adelaide midfield, but has a few areas to work on before becoming a regular in the 22.

“I went to the coaches a few times earlier in the season, not so much Choco [Mark Williams], but I spoke to the other line coaches and watched my tapes with them to see what else they wanted me to do,” he said.

“They want to see me put as much defensive pressure on my opponent as I can, to play on quickly whenever I have the footy and to use it well too.”

Bentley, a former apprentice carpenter, lives with talented youngster Travis Boak, and has also forged close bonds with Adam Thomson, Ryan Williams, Nick Lower and other teammates, who are also looking to cement their spots in the Power team.

“All the guys that are in a similar position are pretty close,” he said.

“We do a fair bit together and spend a bit of time together outside of football. It’s always good to have someone else to talk to, especially when they know exactly what you’re going through.”