SANFL rookie draft prospects: Nathan Krakouer in mix for Port return
Nathan Krakouer could be in the mix for a second chance at Port Adelaide
PORT Adelaide is a chance to re-draft former half-forward Nathan Krakouer at Wednesday morning's rookie draft, after he produced an impressive season for the Magpies in the SANFL.
Krakouer, 26, walked out on the Power in 2010 with just 40 games to his name and joined Gold Coast for its first AFL season.
Despite signing a three-year deal with the Suns, Krakouer quit at the end of 2011 citing personal reasons. He played 13 games for Gold Coast.
He then returned to Alberton this year in a bid to resurrect his AFL career.
Krakouer polled best and fairest votes in 12 of his 16 games and also produced a three-goal effort in the Grand Final.
Norwood trio Sam Baulderstone, Matthew Panos and Peter Bampton are also genuine chances to find their way into the AFL system on Wednesday.
The 200cm and 110kg, Baulderstone has lost 40kg in recent years to transition from an overweight country player into a two-time premiership winner with the Redlegs and would fit the bill for a club in need of a back-up ruckman.
Bampton's ball-winning ability and mature body for an 18-year-old (182cm, 83kg) has raised the eyebrows of several clubs.
He missed the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships with an ankle injury and has since had a shoulder reconstruction.
West Adelaide utility Jonathon Beech has been training with Adelaide, with the Crows reportedly keen on the SANFL star.
The 24-year-old is a terrific runner and at 187cm and 85kg can play a variety of roles both in attack and down back.
Young Sturt ruckman Tom Read is another who is a chance to be rookie listed.
Had it not been for health issues over the past few seasons akin to chronic fatigue, he'd have been highly rated at last Thursday night's NAB AFL Draft.
Read needs to build his fitness up, but he takes the ball incredible well below his knees for a player of 200cm.