PORT Adelaide's Alipate Carlile now has added incentive to play his second AFL game.

The Power have reignited another family bond, giving Carlile the chance to play alongside his cousin for the first time.

After all, it was David Rodan who inspired the young defender to make it to the big time.

"David and I are second cousins," Carlile said.

"It was great when David got drafted by Richmond and it sort of got me thinking that it would be good to play alongside him one day. When we both lived in Melbourne, we used to spend a fair bit of time together, but when my family moved to the country we sort of lost touch a little."

The second cousins grew so far apart that Carlile had no idea why the former Tiger showed up at Power training late last year.

"I actually didn't know David was coming until he rocked up here (Alberton) that day," Carlile said with a laugh.

Rodan was invited out for an intense session with Port Adelaide just days before last season's NAB AFL National Draft.

As well as putting Rodan through his paces, coach Mark Williams grilled Carlile on the explosive onballer's pedigree.

"Choco asked me about him, just trying to suss David out a little. I pumped him up as I should have and it's worked out really well," Carlile said.

"Mum and Dad were a bit worried about me last year so I'm sure they're relieved David's here now."

In his second year on the Port Adelaide list Carlile, known as “Bob” for convenience sake, is being groomed as the Power's next full-back.

Standing at 192cm and 94kg, he is the perfect specimen of a key-position defender.

The 20-year-old has played every game with South Adelaide this season and on Monday was named SANFL player of the week by Power development coach, Darren Trevena.

Last week Carlile held Eagles powerhouse Mark Passador to just one goal after conceding eight when the two sides met earlier in the season.

"I've been a bit up and down this season, but the last couple of weeks have been all right and I've started to level off a bit," Carlile said.

"Passador gave me a touch up earlier in the year so it was good to get one back on him."

Born in Lautoka, Fiji, Carlile moved to Victoria with his family where he followed in the footsteps of his older brother, taking up Australian football.

Last year Carlile became just the second Fijian-born AFL footballer after Rodan.

The pair have since been joined by Carlton's Setanta O'hAilpin, whose mother is Fijian, and who was born in Sydney.

With his AFL debut taken care of, Carlile is ready to establish himself as a consistent performer.

"My first AFL game was a very big learning curve," Carlile said.

"It showed I've got a long way to go and a lot to learn. Hopefully this year, next year and well, for as long as I can, I'll be here continuing to learn at Port."

With resident full-back Darryl Wakelin nearing the end of his career, Carlile's big break could come sooner rather than later.

The Power are hopeful the young combination of Toby Thurstans, Troy Chaplin, Jacob Surjan, Brad Symes and Alipate Carlile can hold up the Port Adelaide defence for many years to come.

"I don't know about holding it up, but we'll do our best," Carlile said.

"Toby (Thurstans) has had a really good year and I think he's found his spot. Hopefully soon I'll be out there alongside him to help out."

Several more Port Adelaide youngsters could get a taste of AFL football this week, with the Power looking to replace Daniel Motlop and Matt Thomas for the clash with Hawthorn.

Number five draft pick Travis Boak could make his long-awaited debut, while Carlile's housemate Robbie Gray, who has been heralded the next Gary Ablett Jr, has also impressed in the SANFL.

"Whoever plays, whether it be Gary Ablett Jr … I mean Robbie, Travis or another, I think they'll do their job," Carlile said with a laugh.

"Last season some of the young guys who got a (AFL) game started playing good footy and gave the coaches the confidence to keep picking us. It sort of paved the way for this year."