PORT Adelaide recruit David Rodan had no idea what to think when he arrived at Alberton for the first time.

After being delisted by Richmond at the end of last season, Rodan was invited to do a single training session with the Power just three days before the NAB AFL National Draft, in a bid to revive his AFL career.

“All I can remember is flying back to Melbourne from that training session mentally and physically exhausted. It was a big day especially with my first impressions of ‘Choco’ (Mark Williams),” Rodan said.

“Choco really got on my back during that session. It was pretty intense, I think I had to wear a GPS so they could track how far I ran and I had Choco constantly in my ear, following me around in every drill. It left me not too sure of how he really felt about me.”

Six months and a first-round Power debut later, Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams has made his feelings clear.

Rodan didn’t miss a beat over the pre-season, impressed with good form in the NAB Cup and was rewarded with a spot in the Port Adelaide line-up for the opening five games.

“I was taken last pick and already on my second chance,” Rodan said.

Coming to Port Adelaide, I knew I had to prove to my new teammates that I deserved to be here and also earn their respect. I’ve really tried to put my head down and bum up, train as hard as I can and not say too much, but talk through my football.”

Rodan’s football has already spoken volumes. The Fijian-born midfielder has averaged 17 possessions and booted eight goals so far this season.

The super-quick Rodan was a perfect fit for Port Adelaide’s exciting, hard-running brand of football.

“I’ve fitted in pretty well with the game plan. The forward-midfield rotation really suits me,” he said.

“I like to get in the mix of things, get in and under the packs and hopefully I can also go forward and get a couple of goals too, because I don’t mind that,” he added, with a laugh.

The pint-sized goal sneak booted 43 goals in 65 games with Richmond before abruptly being delisted in the same year he made his return from a full knee reconstruction.

Proudly the smallest player on the Port Adelaide list, Rodan has already played more games this season than he did in his entire final year with the Tigers. And despite Choco’s early cold shoulder, the easy-going Rodan has found a home at Alberton.

“It’s going really well at the minute. We’ve had a great start to the year which is even better and I’m getting a game so hopefully I can keep going well and doing my bit for the team,” Rodan said.

“In my comeback from the knee injury last year, I knew I was capable of playing good football, but I guess my body wasn’t ready to do it. I was very up and down and it was hard for me to get back to where I was before the injury but I’m very confident now that I’m close to it.”

Port Adelaide will also be close to its best when the Power takes on Melbourne on Sunday, with Dean Brogan, Danyle Pearce and Daniel Motlop all in line for a recall. The 23-year old said complacency would not be an issue for the Power side that boasts a four and one winning record this season.

“We’re going OK at the minute but we’ve never beaten Melbourne over there at the ‘G so we’re really gearing ourselves up for another win.”

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.