Aryan Sareen has joined the Magpies squad for 2021 after signing on as a SANFL-contracted player.

HE grew up playing cricket and supporting the Crows, but Aryan Sareen is finding his feet in football at Port Adelaide after signing on as part of the club’s SANFL-contracted list.

Sareen, 19, came through Port Adelaide’s Next Generation Academy because of his Indian heritage and most recently played at West Adelaide in the reserves in 2020.

He captained the Bloods’ under 18 side in 2019 and finished runner up in the best and fairest that year.

Port Adelaide’s SANFL and Next Generation Academy Manager, Shane Grimm jumped at the chance to bring him back to the club as part of its SANFL list for the upcoming season.

“Jason Porplyzia who was the talent manager at West saw me one day in the gym and asked what my nationality was and my cultural background,” Sareen said of how he first got involved with Port Adelaide.

“I told him I was born in Australia but my parents were from India.

“Grimmy contacted me and my first session was out here with the Next Generation Academy when I was 15.

“I’m not sure if there’s any players anywhere at the level who have an Indian background, even in the second generation.”

The smooth moving, hard-running half back says he can also work into the midfield if needed.

He is best known for his composure, running capacity and ability to hit targets with his skills, and while he knows he could find himself back playing with his junior club, Goodwood Saints, if he’s not selected at SANFL level, he could not be happier to be at Port Adelaide.

“I love the set up. I think I’m better off here than in the other position I could have been in had I stayed at West,” he explained to portadelaidefc.com.au.

“For starters I get the AFL exposure here and if I’m not selected to play in the SANFL then I get back to Goodwood’s A-grade set-up which is better than some reserves SANFL teams.

“Either way I’m developing and that’s what’s most important to me.”

Aryan Sareen (centre) listens on as SANFL coach Matthew Lokan gives direction at Magpies training.

Working with Port’s SANFL coach Matthew Lokan has also been a welcome change, with the group given trust and freedom to be themselves.

“Lokes is a legend,” Sareen said. “I’ve never had a coach like him.

“He’s understanding but he’s strong and direct. He treats you like and adult and gives you freedom too.”

And, having Sacred Heart College schoolmate Ethan Moore at Alberton with him has helped with settling in.

The pair are carpooling to training and both have so far impressed the coaching group.

A junior cricketer growing up, Sareen represented South Australia at under 12, under 15 and under 17 level but elected to pursue football instead.

“Cricket was my main sport growing up. If I had the opportunity, I’d like to open the bat and bowling and field at cover,” he joked.

“I was never very quick as a pace bowler but generally hit the right spots!”

Now wearing black and white at training and gearing up for his first trial game for the club this weekend, he admits it’ll be strange to play against the Crows, who he grew up supporting.

But he says he has changed allegiances and cannot wait to get on the park on Saturday.

“My family are pretty strong Crows supporters – passionate, die hard supporters – so I had to get my siblings on-board with Port,” he said.

“As I grew up I went away from supporting the Crows and appreciated football, and certainly now Port Adelaide.

“The club has a really rich and proud history and I am excited to be part of it.”