Port Adelaide young gun Jase Burgoyne has polled a perfect ten votes in the Gary Ayres Award after his outstanding performance in Friday night's semi-final against Hawthorn.
The Gary Ayres Award is in recognition of the player adjudged the best performer throughout the AFL finals series as voted by coaches on a weekly basis.
Burgoyne produced a career-best outing against the Hawks, finishing with a team-high 25 disposals in the Power's thrilling three-point win at the Adelaide Oval.
The 21-year-old also kicked a goal, took nine marks and registered five rebound-50s in his team's 11.9 (75) to 11.6 (72) triumph.
Teammate Quinton Narkle – a Noongar man – believes Burgoyne is on the trajectory of becoming a 'special' player.
"His improvement this year has just been crazy," Narkle told SEN SA.
"It's pretty special and he is going to be a special player for sure.
"I remember getting here early last year and playing a lot of SANFL with him.
"So to see how he's gone this year with the AFL side (has been impressive), he's playing really good footy."
The Kokatha, Larrakia and Warai man is in his third season at the club after being taken as a father-son selection in 2021.
Burgoyne is a third-generation Port Adelaide player after his grandfather Peter Sr – who played in the SANFL in the late 1970s – and his father Peter, who featured in the club's 2004 premiership.
A calm and composed flanker, he has played 22 matches for the Power in 2024, averaging 18 disposals per game.
Narkle also praised the performance of Tiwi man William Rioli, who was influential with 15 disposals and two goals against the Hawks.
"I've said it to people before, he's one of the best goal kickers in live play I've ever seen," Narkle said on SEN SA.
"To play alongside him is a real privilege and on game day, some of the things he does, you just have to sit back and watch – it's really mesmerising at times.
"He's such an incredible player."
Narkle was a solid contributor in the Power's semi-final win, finishing with 13 disposals, including 12 kicks.
Meanwhile, Wardaman man Jason Horne-Francis is a certain starter for Friday's night preliminary final clash against Sydney at the SCG.
The 21-year-old hobbled off the ground with the assistance of trainers late in the contest after what appeared to be severe cramping.
The dynamic midfielder told SEN SA that he is feeling ready to go for the match against the Swans.
"I've recovered well and feel good for this week," Horne-Francis said.
"It was a bit unusual to cramp up late in the season.
I guess there was a bit more game time, a bit more load, a bit more pressure and the nerves were high, that could be the case."
