Port Adelaide Power signs Balyn O’Brien

Norwood defender Balyn O’Brien has been added to Port Adelaide’s AFL list during the Pre-Season Supplemental Selection Period.

O’Brien – who played six SANFL matches last season for the Redlegs – has been training with the Power over the summer, having been overlooked in last year’s AFL National Draft.

The 19-year-old 187cm defender represented SA in the 2025 AFL U18 National Championships, as well as playing eight U18 matches for Norwood, before making his League debut in Round 17 and playing a key role across the SANFL finals series.

O’Brien comes from Norwood’s Regional Zone of the Eyre Peninsula, and has progressed through the club’s junior pathway.

“We are incredibly proud of Balyn, he’s done everything he could to get Drafted and he’s got the reward,” Norwood FC Talent Manager Craig Roberts said.

“His competitiveness is amazing, as well as his ability to play on a range of different players is what stands out. He showed it at League level, and stood up under finals pressure.

“As a club we wish him all the best in his AFL career.”

Port Adelaide list manager Jason Cripps said via the AFL.com.au website “Balyn had a consistent season in the SANFL under 18s and national champs, before breaking into the Norwood league side and holding his place through the finals.

“He has sound defensive instincts and proved himself as being hard to play on. He has the size and athleticism to allow him to defend a variety of types and showed his strength in the air.”

Norwood has now had three players taken in the 2025 AFL Draft period, with Jacob Newton heading to the West Coast Eagles during the AFL’s Mid Season Draft, Billy Cootee to Sydney in the National Draft and O’Brien to Port in the Pre-Season SSP.

Charli Hazelhurst was Drafted to Fremantle during December’s AFLW Draft.