Port gives lifeline to Krakouer
Port Adelaide have given Nathan Krakouer a second AFL life through the rookie draft, three years after his departure from Gold Coast.
Also at this morning’s draft, Adelaide picked up 201cm ruckman Reilly O’Brien from the Calder Cannons, Port Adelaide Academy defender Keenan Ramsey and speedy Norwood premiership player Anthony Wilson.
Port gave never-say-die defender Tom Logan another shot and, as expected, rookie listed Johann Wagner, who gained his chance through the reality television program, The Recruit.
Ahmed Saad is back at St Kilda after serving an 18-month AFL anti-doping suspension.
The Saints waited until the second round of today’s rookie draft to take Saad with the 19th pick.
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Former Carlton player Kane Lucas has gone to West Coast and Essendon have picked ex-Adelaide forward Shaun McKernan.
Saad, 25, has played 29 games in two seasons for the Saints.
He tested positive for Methyl Synephrine HCL, which was in an energy drink he took last year before an AFL match.
Under anti-doping rules, the substance is only illegal on match days, which is when Saad was tested.
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Saad admitted consuming the energy drink and said he did not check the substance because it had come from someone he trusted.
ASADA challenged the ban, arguing it should be 24 months, but in May an AFL anti-doping appeals board upheld the original penalty.
Saad’s ban ends in February next year.
The Saints would not have given him a second chance on Wednesday if he had been forced out of the game for an extra six months.
Krakouer, 26, played 40 games for the Power from 2007-10 and then 13 matches in his only season at the Suns.
He cited personal reasons for leaving Gold Coast.
Krakouer returned to Alberton this year and showed solid form, kicking three goals for the Magpies in their rivetting SANFL grand final loss to arch-rivals Norwood.
Premiers Hawthorn used pick No.53 to sign Lachlan Langford.
The 18-year-old is the younger brother of Will, who was a revelation for the Hawks this season as they won their third flag in four seasons.
Their father Chris is a four-time Hawks premiership defender and now sits on the AFL Commission.
Gold Coast used pick No.71 to give former Richmond and Brisbane player Andrew Raines a third AFL home.
