Teenager can Shaw up Power spot

New Port Adelaide recruit Mason Shaw. Source: News Limited

TEENAGE forward Mason Shaw is Port Adelaide's pre-season bolter, with leading goalkicker Jay Schulz predicting he could force his way into the Power side next season.

While Port has its fingers crossed the luckless John Butcher can enjoy an injury-free pre-season and finally deliver on his promise in 2014, Schulz said Shaw could be the wildcard in the forward line pack.

Shaw, 19, spent his first season with the Power refining his game in the SANFL with South Adelaide but has been a standout at pre-season training.

"I think Mason Shaw is going to be a pretty handy player for us,'' Schulz said.

"He's been moving really well in the pre-season and the way he's developing he'll certainly be in the mix (to play) next season.

"There are spots up for grabs, the team's not set and he's definitely got the skills, talent and workrate to take one.''

Schulz described Western Australian Shaw - taken at pick 30 at the 2012 national draft - as a Justin Westhoff type of player because of his ability to move around the ground so well.

"He's more of a Westy type as opposed to the way I play,'' said stay-at-home forward Schulz, who booted a career-high 49 goals this year.

"He does cover the ground really well and he's got a great pair of hands and he's got a good kick on him.

"And he's quite a smart footballer. He's going to be a good player for us.''

Shaw is well built at 197cm and 89kg and looms as a nice third attacking tall option for Port behind Schulz and Westhoff, particularly if Butcher again struggles to stay on the park.

Butcher is entering his fifth AFL season but has played only 20 games and kicked 31 goals because of a series of hip, leg and back injuries.

He played just eight games this year, booting nine majors.

Coach Ken Hinkley has indicated the No. 8 pick at the 2009 national draft faces a make-or-break 2014.

Schulz said Butcher was "coming along well'' this pre-season but the jury is still out on how effective he will be next year.

With concern over Butcher's fitness, the Power added to its key forward stocks at this year's national draft, selecting North Adelaide and State under-18 ace Mitch Harvey at pick 45.

"He's got a great pair of mitts and is a really nice set shot at goal,'' was Schulz's observation of Harvey.

But the nephew of former Fitzroy star and former Adelaide recruiting manager Matt Rendell, who is now at Collingwood, is considered well behind Butcher and Shaw in his development.

You're reading an article about
Teenager can Shaw up Power spot
This article
Teenager can Shaw up Power spot
can be opened in url
http://aflnewstop.blogspot.com/2013/12/teenager-can-shaw-up-power-spot.html
Teenager can Shaw up Power spot