Davenport has attracted as much attention for his trendy hairstyle, as he has for his match-winning, four-goal heroics against West Coast in round two.
The 24-year-old with the swept fringe decided to grow his hair just to spite balding friend Ablett and teammates Chad Cornes and Warren Tredrea, but he confessed he didn’t expect the new look to create such a fuss.
“I just thought having a couple of close mates that aren’t naturally blessed with hair like Chad, Tredders and Gaz, that I better make the most of it. I’ve had a shaved head for a couple of years, so I thought let’s get a bit of a look going,” Davenport said.
“I didn’t think it was anything special. I thought it was just a normal haircut but some people have taken it a bit differently. A couple of boys from opposition teams have already stirred me up about it this year.
“I found it quite astonishing that (Brisbane Lions full-back) Daniel Merrett had the nerve to tell me about my ‘stupid fringe’ when he’s standing in front of me just glowing with orange hair. I wasn’t quite sure how to take it, but it’s all in good fun.”
Davenport will have a chance to show off his new do when the Power head to Skilled Stadium to take on Ablett’s Cats on Sunday.
The former Geelong-listed onballer starred with 21 possessions, seven marks and two goals in his first game against his old side in round 13 last season and said he was even better prepared for the trip this time around.
“It feels a little bit different playing against Geelong this time because I’m definitely Port Adelaide through and through now. I only know the Port Adelaide system now whereas, this time last year I was just coming out of Geelong’s system into this system so it was all a bit surreal,” he said.
“It was a great challenge and I really enjoyed playing there last year, but now it’s all business. I still chat with a lot of the guys there, but once we get on the field there it’s all about helping Port Adelaide win.”
Davenport said he was looking forward to playing against former housemate Ablett and second-gamer James Podsiadly, who he spent time with on a recent action-packed trip to New Zealand.
Davenport has worked hard to forge a name for himself in the AFL, having spent time on Geelong’s rookie and senior list before being delisted and then drafted by Port Adelaide.
But he said Podsiadly, who made his AFL debut last weekend at age 28, was the real success story.
“Pods is someone who just has the most outstanding attitude. He dominated VFL football for years whether he was playing up forward or down back. He’s won league medals and is just an outstanding player,” Davenport said.
“He got his chance last week and he took six or seven contested mark, which not many debutants can do. To his credit he’s just worked and worked. He’s in amazing shape and I just hope he can have a long enough career to really get the most out of his abilities.”
