Midfielder Jack Watkins has joined Port Adelaide’s AFL list after being selected with pick 4 in the Rookie Draft.
Name: Jack Watkins
Date of Birth: 18 December 2000
Height: 176cm
Position: Midfielder
State: SA
State League Club: Port Adelaide
Community Club: Darley/Melton South
Port Adelaide has selected midfielder Jack Watkins at pick 4 in the 2025 Telstra AFL Rookie Draft.
At 24 years old, Watkins has been given his first chance at an AFL career after spending five years at state league level across the VFL and the SANFL.
Moving from North Melbourne to Port Adelaide ahead of the 2025 season, Watkins was a standout in his first year in black-and-white, averaging 27 disposals, 4.6 marks and 4.2 clearances from 18 games.
He was selected in the 2025 SANFL team of the year, earning recognition for his consistency and work-rate.
Prior to his move to South Australia, Watkins made 63 VFL appearances for North Melbourne, and was awarded back-to-back John Law Medals, given to the best and fairest Kangaroo in the VFL.
Watkins also represented South Australia in the state team earlier this season, when the SANFL hosted the WAFL in May.
Port Adelaide National Recruiting Manager Geoff Parker says:
Jack has shown great perseverance as he continued to develop his game and strive for an opportunity at AFL level. He had an outstanding 2025 season for the Magpies, winning the A.R. McLean Medal and representing the SANFL state team. He has strength to hold his ground and take clean possession in a contest, then burst into space. He’s a high possession player with the smarts and running capacity to stay involved as the ball transitions.