PORT ADELAIDE Captain Travis Boak says young defender Riley Bonner has “put his hand up” to replace the injured Jasper Pittard in the side to face Fremantle in Round 1 of the Toyota AFL season.

Pittard suffered a hamstring strain against Adelaide in the Power’s second JLT Community Series hit-out and will miss the season opener against the Dockers.

Bonner has played just four senior games since being taken at pick 37 in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft but has shown signs of maturity in the pre-season, according to his captain.

“I think his game against the Crows, certainly that third quarter, he really took the game away from the Crows and he’s going to be a great player for this side,” Boak told reporters on Monday morning.

“I think what he adds is a lot of composure through that half-back line and he is a beautiful kick.

“He likes to take the game on and you’ve got to have those guys – that really want to create – I think Jasper’s one and I think Bonner is going to be a fantastic player and hopefully he gets his opportunity in Round 1.

“From the way he’s been playing - from last week’s performance, from the West Coast performance, he’s certainly put his hand up.”

Bonner averaged 18 disposals across his three AFL games in 2017, including the elimination final.

Boak said he was impressed with the 21-year-old’s composure, predicting more improvement in 2018.

“Any young player coming into a side, as they play more footy they get more composed with the ball and a better understanding of what’s going on in the game,” he said.

“For him, only playing a small amount of football, he’s already got that composure and awareness around him that when he does have the ball he’s got a lot of time and makes a really good decision.

“And for someone who has only played a few games of footy that’s outstanding and it’s only going to get better.”

Boak all but confirmed he was a certain starter for Saturday’s game against Fremantle, and said second-year midfield bull Sam Powell-Pepper (shoulder) and gun recruit Tom Rockliff (knee) would also likely play despite injury interrupted pre-seasons.

“It’s going to be pretty tough for Kenny to make a call,” he said of the Power’s potential team selection.

“I think we’ve got pretty much a full list to choose from so there’ll be some unlucky guys to miss out but this is the position we want to be in.

“The competition for spots is hot and that’s what makes a good side.”

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