THE Port Adelaide Football Club is delighted to welcome former player Paul Stewart back to Alberton to work in a dual role as coach of the club’s Next Generation Academy and as part of its player welfare and development department. 

Stewart played 101 AFL games in 10 seasons with Port Adelaide after arriving with pick 23 in the 2006 AFL National Draft. 

He returned to Woodville-West Torrens, where he won the 2006 SANFL premiership, after being delisted ahead of the 2017 season and was part of the Eagles side which lost last year’s SANFL Grand Final. 

Stewart’s experience as an AFL player, as well as the associated challenges that came with it, along with his work and study experience made him the outstanding candidate for the role. 

The 31-year-old has experience working in community development and with young people, including in 2018 becoming the regional coordinator for youth homelessness organisation Ladder. 

Stewart announced his retirement from SANFL football late last month to focus on family and career commitments. 

He will start his new roles at Port Adelaide in November.

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