Port Adelaide midfielder Will Brodie is focused on earning his opportunity at AFL level in 2026 after joining the club during the recent Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period in an exchange with Fremantle.  

The 24-year-old has made a strong start to pre-season, enjoying getting to know his new teammates while settling into life in Adelaide. 

Speaking with the media, Brodie discussed his relationship with Senior Coach Josh Carr, the motivation behind his move to Port Adelaide, and his determination to earn his opportunity at AFL level. 

Brodie on the process to become a Port Adelaide player through the trade period 
“Sort of throughout the year (the process begun), and I was in contact with Carry (Josh Carr). The idea of coming here and speaking through (that opportunity) with my manager, it sort of became pretty clear that would be the best option for me. And then we just worked through it, and it was all pretty simple in the end. I’m grateful it all happened pretty smoothly."  

“It didn't really get too serious around coming here until last year when it was announced he was taking the coaching job…I think maybe it ramped up a little bit, and discussions got a bit more serious, and then my manager got involved. So yeah, it's just a bit of a process. But, you know, I have a tremendous amount of respect for Carry. He's a pretty easy man to keep in contact with, he’s very approachable, a nice bloke, so it's been pretty easy."  

Brodie on his relationship with Senior Coach Josh Carr and the motivation behind his trade request 
“I just had a great relationship with Carry from my time at Freo. He just sort of said he believes in me, and there's another opportunity to come here and give it a go and potentially play a role that suits me, and we'll just see what happens – that’s all it really took (to convince him to play at Port Adelaide). I mean, I was at a point where I was really craving some more opportunity, and the idea of a fresh start as well was something that I was just willing to jump at.”  

Brodie on how he’s handled the challenging moments so far in his AFL career 
“Yeah, it's tough. I guess you just have that hope that things will change and constantly try to improve in areas of my game that I can, so that when the opportunity did come, I’d be ready and I’d be a better player than I was when I was playing in 2022. So yeah, it's been a bit of a tough journey the last few years. I just feel like I've moved through that well and come out of it feeling excited and motivated to give it all another go and see what happens."  

Brodie on his hopes as a Port Adelaide player  

“I still have belief that when it comes (AFL selection) that I'm capable. I feel like I've played at the level before and played well, so I feel like I'm certainly capable. It's more just trying to prove and earn that opportunity. And then make the most of it but certainly feel like I'm capable at AFL level."  

“I think I'm a better, more improved and developed player now than what I was then (in 2022). An (AFL) career doesn't go forever, so I want to make sure that I'm constantly improving and try to make the most of any opportunity. And hopefully I've got plenty more games left in me, so I’m looking forward to hopefully giving it another go… I'm excited for what's going to happen here."  

Brodie on the role he can play in the side 
“I feel like my strength is my ability to win contests and get inside and do a bit of the dirty work and allow the stars to be stars. So just try and take the pressure off or feed them and make life a bit easier (in the midfield). So, I feel like that's a role that I can play, and I'll try and do my best to earn an opportunity."  

Brodie on Josh Carr’s coaching style 
“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Carry. He's got a bit of a force about him, he'll be straight with you and be honest with you, but he's someone that you can relate to and have a conversation with as well. The way he gets his message across is very clear, and you understand it, and he does it in a respectful way. He's made some changes around the way we want to play, and I think we'll see that in due time, which will be for the better."  

Brodie on players he’s enjoyed training with during the pre-season 
“Yeah, there’s a few! Buttsy (Zak Butters) he's starting to get back on the track now, so it's good to see the way he moves, and Connor (Rozee) too off half back. There's plenty of guys – it's been good to train alongside them all and get to know them as people as well."  

Brodie on his form going into 2026 
“Yeah, I feel like I’m capable of getting back into form. I've been working on some things in my game, and it was a pretty tough midfield to get into there (at Fremantle). There are some studs in there, as there is here. So, I'm just going to keep trying to work hard, earn whatever I can get, and see what happens."  

Brodie on settling into Adelaide 
“I’m settling in well. Really enjoying it and starting to find our feet. We've got a place here and found our local coffee shop, so we’re really enjoying it. The club's been great, and I’m starting to find my feet."