Port Adelaide father-son prospect Louis Salopek will play his first game of the year next Saturday.
A punctured lung has forced the 17-year-old to miss the action for the first half of the season.
The Dandenong Stingrays prospect is returning in Round 14 of the Talent League against Geelong at Shepley Oval on June 20.
The news has come as a reward for one of the most highly ranked prospects in the country, with clubs closely monitoring the young talent ahead of his draft-eligible season in 2027.
Salopek has already built a strong reputation within talent pathways circles, earning Under-16 All-Australian honours after a standout championships last season. He averaged 24 disposals and five clearances as a clean-skilled, left-footed half-back/midfielder.
The son of former Port Adelaide midfielder Steven Salopek, Louis has nominated to join the Power under the AFL's father-son rule in 2027, having spent time training with the club across pre-season.
He was also part of Vic Country's summer training squad as a bottom-ager.
Salopek is part of a strong contingent of Port Adelaide-tied prospects for Power fans to get excited about. The club has priority access to potential 2026 Pick 1 Dougie Cochrane, as well as 2027 draft-eligible pair Tevita Rodan (father-son) and Zemes Pilot (Next Generation Academy member).
Salopek's return is expected to draw significant onlookers from AFL clubs, with many seeing him as one of the top prospects available in the 2027 draft pool.
