PORT ADELAIDE General Manager - Football Chris Davies understands the SANFL’s frustration with the potential to lose players in the NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft, but says the club wants to give as many players an opportunity to play at the highest level as possible.

A mid-season draft is being held for the first time since 1993, giving clubs with long-term injuries or spots on their lists an opportunity to top up.

Davies says Port’s recruitment team is still deciding whether they would make a selection at Monday night’s draft.

“We think our list is pretty balanced,” Davies said in a press conference on Thursday morning.

“We have had a significant injury list, so we were mindful for a while of having enough bodies available.

“Jake Patmore has been placed on the injury list for the year so we’ve got a spot.

“We will take into account the idea of taking a young player.

“If we think there is someone that can help us or potentially help us then we’ll look at it.”

The General Manager ensured the club will not add defender Jack Watts to the long-term injury list to open another spot before Monday night’s draft.

"Right now, we want to make sure Jack is given as much time as he possibly can to potentially get back,” Davies said.

"It's probably looking more unlikely than likely, but at the same time, we won't be making that call right now.

"We want to keep our options open for as long as we can."

Davies admits some clubs may look to exploit the mid-season draft by bringing in young recruits, rather than mature-aged rookies to fill the gaps left by injured players.

“I think clubs are going to exploit whatever rule is there,” the 40-year-old said.

“Doesn’t matter if they’re rule changes to the actual game or changes to drafts.

“The clubs are going to do whatever they think is in their best interest at the time, that’s what our responsibility is.

“There will be some clubs who think they have a player who can help right away, it will be interesting to see how it unfolds on Monday.”

The 2019 NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft will be broadcast LIVE on AFL.com.au, the AFL Live Official App and Fox Footy from 6.30pm AEST on Monday 27 May.