Port Adelaide coach Josh Carr is buoyant about the growth of a pair of emerging youngsters.
Despite losing by 97 points to premiership contenders Sydney, Jase Burgoyne had a breakout game in the midfield, while young tall Dante Visentini proved he could play in defence.
With 21 players still uncontracted going into next season, having Burgoyne, signed through 2029 and Visentini, with the club until the end of next season at least is a pleasing sign.
“I see it as part of his growth,” Carr said of Burgoyne's 34-disposal performance in the midfield.
“He's had eight to 10 weeks as more mid than wing and last week was mainly mid.”
Opportunities have opened up for Burgoyne as a result of Zak Butters and Jason Horne-Francis being absent at times throughout that period which has stretched resources in the engine room.
“He's shown what he can do to go inside and win contested footy so it's pleasing to have another player who has added another string to his bow,” Carr added.
On a weekend where younger brother, Vigo, broke out for Essendon, Dante also showed plenty of promise in a backline under siege.
After getting the nod in Round 1, Port Adelaide quickly retreated to Jordon Sweet as its preferred ruck with Visentini playing alongside him for much of the second half of the season – but he spent the entire game stationed behind the ball in Round 22.
“'Vis' went back and he was the biggest highlight for me coming out of last weekend's game,” Carr said.
“Whether it was his ruck work that he's done to prepare him. He played the position really well and he'll play back again this week.
“Me and Vis have had this conversation across the past 12 months, maybe longer that he did play back as a junior so when this opportunity came up, especially with ‘Sweety' going really well it was a great opportunity for ‘Vis' to show us what he's got.
“He's probably one of the best prepared players we've got on our list so it's not like it was foreign territory for him.”
Port Adelaide will take on Melbourne on Saturday night.
