Port Adelaide mid-season draftee Alex van Wyk said the chance to join an AFL list has been an “unreal feeling”. 

The 21-year-old North Adelaide ruck joined Victorian Xavier Bamert at the Power on Tuesday night, with van Wyk involved in his first training session the very next day. 

Speaking with the Adelaide media on Wednesday, van Wyk spoke about his first day at the club, keeping his selection a secret from his family, and how North Adelaide gave him an opportunity at SANFL level. 

Van Wyk on being drafted 
“It’s good, pretty unreal. Don't think it's all really set in yet, but it’s a pretty unreal feeling. It’s been good (being around the boys today). It definitely helped being out here training for a week before (in pre-season), so I felt confident out there and it was good fun.” 

Van Wyk on watching the draft on Tuesday 
“I was just watching at home on the couch. Didn't really want to make too much of it so just had the family over, and had a few mates come over afterwards, so that was good. 

Van Wyk on knowing Port Adelaide was interested 
“I only found out yesterday, at around like 11 o'clock, I think, but I kept it a pretty big secret. I didn't tell anyone, mum and dad included. They were good though, they were pretty ecstatic last night. That was good fun giving them a surprise. 

“(My parents are) pretty excited, they're a bit overwhelmed as well, I reckon, especially because I kept it a surprise last night.” 

Van Wyk on North Adelaide’s influence 
“Yeah, definitely (grateful to them). North gave me the opportunity to move (clubs), and to play as first ruck there. It obviously didn't go how I wanted to last year (with injury), but this year has turned out pretty good.” 

Van Wyk on his goals for 2026 
“I think just take it one step at a time, like settle in, and then just build up skills, craft, all that. It would always be nice to play AFL football, but also I've got good players ahead of me and stuff, so I think just getting in and really settling down, getting my craft in, focusing on what I can do to be better. So that's my main focus.” 

Van Wyk on his fellow Port rucks 
“(I’ll learn) heaps, like they've both got heaps of AFL experience, so I can just work on craft, body work, all that. It will make a huge difference, having two experienced rucks by my side.” 

Van Wyk on his conversations with Josh Carr 
“I spoke to him this morning a bit, but I missed a call from him last night, which was no good! Nah he’s just excited to have me here and spoke a bit more about when I was training here (in pre-season).” 

Van Wyk on the kind of player he is 
“I see myself as a good tap ruckman, so I probably pride myself off of serving the midfield and giving them first look.” 

Van Wyk on taking a bit longer to get an opportunity 
“When I was at Norwood, I was playing reserves for a while, I was stuck behind Harry Boyd, so that was a bit of a setback. Then North gave me opportunity last year to come out and play, but then I was injured all season last year, which was no good. 

“(The mid-season draft) was always kind of playing on in the back of your mind, but I just tried to put it away and not worry about it until it came up. 

“It's been a bit of a roller coaster. Kind of out of the blue, I got invited out to train here (in pre-season) but then found out I wasn't eligible because I didn't nominate for the draft last year, so yeah, it's been pretty up and down, but I was just grateful for the opportunity to come out here, and then that helped me knock on the door.” 

Van Wyk on who he supported growing up 
“It has always been Crows or nothing at my house, but I mean, now obviously it will be house full of Port supporters!” 

Van Wyk on the prospect of running out on Adelaide Oval 
“I haven't really thought that far to be honest yet, I’m still trying to wrap my head around being here right now! But yeah, it would be amazing.”