Hard Work Pays Off As Symes Earns His Call-up

The Age

Friday September 28, 2007

Ari Sharp, With AAP

PORT Adelaide's selection of 22-year-old Brad Symes, who has not played a senior game since round 12, is a "fairytale", according to coach Mark Williams.

Symes was picked in the grand final side to replace veteran Michael Wilson, who snapped his Achilles tendon in last weekend's preliminary final win over the Kangaroos.

Symes edged out Nathan Lonie, Nick Lower and Robert Gray to fill the vacancy, and Williams said Symes had earned his place in the side.

"He's kept his head down all the time and worked really hard and really deserves it," Williams said after the team landed at Melbourne airport last night.

Lack of injuries to Port Adelaide meant Symes played only six games for the side this season. Most of his game-time was spent with Central District in the SANFL, where he averaged more than 20 disposals a game.

Symes has played 19 games since his 2004 debut, and veteran defender Darryl Wakelin said he would slot back into the side without problems.

"He's been in rare form in the local league," he said. "He should be pretty comfortable and with the senior guys around him, he should be able to settle in, no worries."

Wakelin said the team took some confidence from its round-21 defeat of Geelong at Skilled Stadium.

"We got heart out of being competitive that day and sticking to our game plan," he said.

"You can't get too carried away. They had three of their All-Australians (Jimmy Bartel, Joel Selwood and Cameron Ling) out of the side. You've got to put it in perspective."

Earlier yesterday, Power assistant coach Matthew Primus questioned the selection of Geelong ruckman Steven King and said he was a weak link to be exploited.

"Steven King's got a lot of experience, but he hasn't played in too many games this year, whether that's form or they're not quite sure on his body," Primus said.

"They've taken the big call on playing him and we're pretty confident our two guys will be able to run over the top of him."

Port Adelaide will have a light training run on the MCG today after the grand final parade. -- With AAP

© 2007 The Age

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