Brendan Lines 1st Sept, 2020

Port Adelaide have made the first of two much anticipated re-signings this week, as Sam Powell-Pepper has extended his contract with the club, the midfielder will remain at the club until the end of 2023.

The W.A born Powell-Pepper, was drafted to the club at pick 18 in the 2016 AFL National Draft.

Powell-Pepper said today at Alberton his sense of being amongst family at the club was a deciding factor to re-sign.

“It’s really exciting to be able to be part of the Port Adelaide Football Club and stay with this exciting group we’ve got,” Powell-Pepper said.

“The club has always supported me since I walked in the door in 2016 and I could not be happier to stay for at least another three years.

“The people here are like family and it feels like home. I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together this year and in the future.”

Fellow Port midfielder and housemate Travis Boak has helped with some brotherly guidance during the ups and downs of Powell-Pepper’s so far 71-game career.

“He’s like a big brother, he talks about your form going up and down, but you got to stick at it,” he said.

“Myself and Travis we’ve spent every second of everyday just doing recovery (from games) and bonded even more during this little Covid period.”

The re-signing hasn’t been without speculation or delay, with rumours he may have been in trade discussions at the end of 2019, while the 2020 contract freeze may have cast further doubt.

Powell-Pepper says the noise of speculation around both factors was just that — speculation.

“I knew what was going on behind closed doors, Kenny (Ken Hinkley) and myself are really keen on the future, but there was a bit of speculation which doesn’t really faze me too much,” he said.

Port Adelaide’s General Manager – Football, Chris Davies said the club was pleased to have Powell-Pepper recommit to the club.

“Sam has developed his consistency throughout this season and his hunt and pressure on the ball has become a real feature of his game,” he said

“We have seen him mature both as a player and a person in recent years. Because he came straight into the team when he was drafted, we forget he is still just 22 years-old,

“We look forward to his continued growth over the next three seasons.”