Port Adelaide appear to have found another gem in promising youngster Mitch Georgiades.
In just his third AFL game, the 18-year-old forward took five marks and kicked 3.2 in the Power’s 51-point win over Melbourne at the Gabba on Thursday night.
Subiaco product Georgiades was taken with pick 18 in last year’s AFL Draft and has quickly shown the footy world why the Power rated him so highly with six goals in three outings.
He is the next in a growing list of Port youngsters - including Connor Rozee, Zak Butters, Xavier Duursma, Kane Farrell and the injured Todd Marshall - who have helped drive the club to the top of the ladder, and his raw and youthful exuberance reminds assistant coach Matthew Lokan of an inexperienced thoroughbred race horse.
“He’s like a two-year-old at the races getting down the straight,” he said on SEN SA Breakfast.
“He’s very raw but geez, his ability to be able to jump in front of a pack and mark the footy, and he kicked three goals, two (behinds) last night.
“We’ve still got some work to do with Mitch but he’s an exciting talent and I’m sure he’ll play a lot of AFL footy.”
Lokan was asked if there was a directive from the coaches for Georgiades to fly at everything in the air?
“When you can jump like that and take marks like that, we’re promoting natural flair and to play his natural game,” he added.
“Obviously Bass (forward coach Nathan Bassett) has got a forward structure there that we’ve got to stick to but if Mitch is in the area to be able to jump at the footy, he’ll certainly go for it.”
Mitch Georgiades out here looking like Leo Barry 🌟#AFLDeesPower pic.twitter.com/ISJCxIqKnI
— 7AFL (@7AFL) July 30, 2020
Lokan was also complimentary of Port’s older crop including Robbie Gray, who was desperate in putting his head over the ball when the game was done and dusted, while praising leading goal kicker Charlie Dixon who was below his best but still provided a contest for his team
“I think that’s a positive thing that Charlie didn’t have a huge impact in regards to disposals last night but his presence on the ground is really important for us,” he said further.
“His ability just to make a contest brings those other guys into the game.
“Robbie Gray had no right to go for that ball in the last quarter. We were well in front and the fact that our most senior player puts his body on the line and takes that massive hit just shows how much it means to Robbie.
“I thought he was great last night and got back into some form that we’re after.”
Incredible from Robbie Gray. #AFLDeesPower pic.twitter.com/SKjfgd3wll
— 7AFL (@7AFL) July 30, 2020
The Power now find themselves a game clear on top of the ladder with second-placed Brisbane still to play tonight. Ken Hinkley’s side next takes on Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval on Monday night.