STAR midfielder Chad Cornes is considered by many to be a barometer of the Port Adelaide side and, in more recent times, Daniel Motlop has also been credited with sparking his teammates into action.

But over the past 12 months another figure with the ability to inspire the Power has emerged.

Ruckman Dean Brogan is in his eighth season at Alberton and has started 2008 in career-best form. The 200cm, 98kg strongman has featured in Port Adelaide’s best players on five occasions in the opening seven rounds and has already created enough highlights to start his own motivational DVD.

Brogan put in a stirring performance against Adelaide in round three, putting his body on the line in a classic hip and shoulder on Luke Jericho and also set the scene in Subiaco with an opening bounce encounter with West Coast’s Daniel Kerr.

The former Port Adelaide rookie is seen as an unofficial leader among the young playing group and says he’s more comfortable carrying out that role this season.

“I’m a pretty competitive sort of guy no matter what I’m doing and playing in my position, in the ruck, you’re very fortunate to be able to set the tone of the game,” Brogan told portadelaidefc.com.au.

“I go out there with a lot of aggression and my teammates tell me that when I’m playing well, getting in there and playing angry, it fires them up.

“I feel it’s my responsibility to get them all going, so I’ve taken that step this year.

“As you get a bit older you gain a bit more knowledge and you feel comfortable speaking up a bit more. This year, although I’m not in the leadership group, everyone in the senior brigade is sort of a leader.

“Our leadership program works on the basis that if you see something and feel that something needs to be said - you say it.

“This year, I’ve sort of come out of my shell a bit more and said a few more things both on the field and in the media.

“It’s something that I’m comfortable with and we’re getting a good response from it, so I’ll keep doing it.”

The 29-year-old has also experienced a change off field since the birth of his daughter Charlize, who turns three this year.

“When you become a parent, you grow up a bit more and it makes you realise that footy is not everything,” Brogan said.

“You tend to get over wins and losses pretty quickly when you get home and see your daughter. You enjoy your time at home a bit more and tend to leave footy at the football club.

“Off the field, despite what has happened in the past, I’ve definitely mellowed out a lot more and my daughter has probably had a lot to do with that. I’m just getting older too, so things don’t tend to worry me as much. Life is good.”

Brogan has been hampered by injury throughout his 108-game career, but when fit, forms a formidable duo with All-Australian ruckman Brendon Lade - a partnership Brogan hopes can continue for a few more years to come.

“I turn 30 this year, but I still love my footy and I feel like I’m actually playing my best footy now,” he said.

“Luckily for me, ruckmen tend to peak at this age, so as long as my body holds up and I’m still excited by footy mentally, hopefully I can play for another three or four years.

“The first seven weeks of the season have been really good, personally. I’ve been injury-free, which always helps and I’ve been pretty happy with my form.

“Hopefully, after the break that continues and, more importantly, we keep winning.”

The former Adelaide 36er created history in 2004 when he became the first person to win both an AFL premiership and an NBL Championship, after he swapped a promising basketball career to have a crack at footy full-time.

“It’s been nine years now since I made the switch. Footy has been awesome for me and nine years have gone really quick,” Brogan said.

“It’s my life and it’s been an amazing journey so far. I don’t think about it too much, but probably, when I retire I’ll look back on it all. I’m having fun, Port Adelaide is a great club to play for and I’m really happy.”