Jason Porplyzia
Encyclopedia
Jason Porplyzia is an Australian rules football
er in the Australian Football League
. He wears the number 40 for the Adelaide Football Club, and is known as a dangerous forward with a strong mark for his size. He is also widely regarded as one of the most accurate kicks for goal in the competition. He is known by a number of nicknames, including "the Porpoise
", Needles and Porps.
Porplyzia graduated from Sacred Heart College in 2002 where he regularly played in the First XVIII, and played an integral role in Sacred Heart College's 20 goal defeat of Assumption College, Kilmore
as part of the annual intercollegiate exchange. He was drafted by the Adelaide Crows and placed on their rookie list
in 2003 but failed to impress the selectors enough to warrant elevation and was subsequently delisted. He then returned to the SANFL with West Adelaide
, where he showed outstanding improvement, winning the club best and fairest award at the end of 2005. Adelaide rewarded his hard work by reclaiming him in the 2005 pre-season draft
.
Proplyzia made his AFL debut in round 5, 2006 against the Western Bulldogs
, in which he scored 3 goals in Adelaide's resounding victory. Porplyzia played 11 games for the season, the standout being a 25-possession effort against Melbourne
in Round 22. He continued to impress in 2007 before finally beginning to make a name for himself as a small forward in 2008, where he repeatedly played through a recurring shoulder injury to almost single-handedly carry Adelaide into the finals in the absence of Brett Burton
, and almost into the top four.
2009 was a breakthrough year for Porplyzia, he booted 57.20 all up including the finals making him Adelaide's Leading Goalscorer. He was favourite behind Mark Lecras to receive his first All Australian selection as the small forward pocket
, but was controversially beaten by Leon Davis
. Porplyzia is recognised as one of the most accurate set shots in the AFL. He played his 50th match for the Crows in round 6 against Port Adelaide
in Showdown
XXIV, and booted three goals despite the Crows' loss. In the Crows round 21 match against the West Coast Eagles
, Porplyzia booted his 100th goal in AFL
footy, and also achieved a career high 6 goals. On 2 October Porplyzia was officially recognized for being Adelaide's leading goalscorer at the Best and Fairest awards. He also won the coaches award and finished runner up to Bernie Vince in the Best and Fairest by 2 votes.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
. He wears the number 40 for the Adelaide Football Club, and is known as a dangerous forward with a strong mark for his size. He is also widely regarded as one of the most accurate kicks for goal in the competition. He is known by a number of nicknames, including "the Porpoise
Porpoise
Porpoises are small cetaceans of the family Phocoenidae; they are related to whales and dolphins. They are distinct from dolphins, although the word "porpoise" has been used to refer to any small dolphin, especially by sailors and fishermen...
", Needles and Porps.
Porplyzia graduated from Sacred Heart College in 2002 where he regularly played in the First XVIII, and played an integral role in Sacred Heart College's 20 goal defeat of Assumption College, Kilmore
Assumption College, Kilmore
Assumption College is a Roman Catholic, secondary, co-educational, day and Boarding school, located in Kilmore, Victoria, Australia.Founded in 1893, the college first took boarders in 1901, and was a boys' school until 1982, when it became coeducational. The current principal is Mr...
as part of the annual intercollegiate exchange. He was drafted by the Adelaide Crows and placed on their rookie list
Rookie list
The Rookie List is a means for Australian Football League clubs to maintain additional players outside of the 38-man primary or senior list. Rookie listed players are not eligibile to play in AFL home and away or finals matches unless they are elevated to the senior list, either to replace a...
in 2003 but failed to impress the selectors enough to warrant elevation and was subsequently delisted. He then returned to the SANFL with West Adelaide
West Adelaide Football Club
West Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club in the South Australian National Football League . Commonly known as The Bloods and Westies, the clubs home base is City Mazda Stadium located in Richmond, an inner-western suburb of Adelaide.-Early Years :West Adelaide was formed in...
, where he showed outstanding improvement, winning the club best and fairest award at the end of 2005. Adelaide rewarded his hard work by reclaiming him in the 2005 pre-season draft
2005 AFL Draft
The 2005 AFL Draft was the 2005 instance of the AFL Draft, the annual draft of talented players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League.The 2005 Draft consisted of a pre-season draft, a national draft, a trade period...
.
Proplyzia made his AFL debut in round 5, 2006 against the Western Bulldogs
Western Bulldogs
The Western Bulldogs are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based at the Whitten Oval in West Footscray, an inner-western suburb of Melbourne...
, in which he scored 3 goals in Adelaide's resounding victory. Porplyzia played 11 games for the season, the standout being a 25-possession effort against Melbourne
Melbourne Football Club
The Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League , based in Melbourne, Victoria....
in Round 22. He continued to impress in 2007 before finally beginning to make a name for himself as a small forward in 2008, where he repeatedly played through a recurring shoulder injury to almost single-handedly carry Adelaide into the finals in the absence of Brett Burton
Brett Burton
Brett Burton is a retired Australian rules footballer who played in the Australian Football League. He was picked up at Pick 16 in the 1998 AFL Draft by the Adelaide Football Club...
, and almost into the top four.
2009 was a breakthrough year for Porplyzia, he booted 57.20 all up including the finals making him Adelaide's Leading Goalscorer. He was favourite behind Mark Lecras to receive his first All Australian selection as the small forward pocket
Forward pocket
In Australian rules football, the forward pocket refers to a position on the field deep in offense.Forward pocket players, situated in the forward line, need to have good avoidance and goal sneak skills and usually, quality forward-pockets are noted for their agility and ability to score difficult...
, but was controversially beaten by Leon Davis
Leon Davis (footballer)
Leon Davis is an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.Drafted to Collingwood in 1999 as a small forward, Davis is of Aboriginal heritage. Davis made an early impression at the Pies and played Round 1 in his debut season. He showed that he was capable of turning a match but...
. Porplyzia is recognised as one of the most accurate set shots in the AFL. He played his 50th match for the Crows in round 6 against Port Adelaide
Port Adelaide Football Club
The Port Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Alberton, South Australia, which plays in the Australian Football League and the South Australian National Football League...
in Showdown
Showdown (AFL)
The Showdown is a term used to refer to the derby match between local rivals the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide in the sport of Australian rules football in the Australian Football League .-Background:...
XXIV, and booted three goals despite the Crows' loss. In the Crows round 21 match against the West Coast Eagles
West Coast Eagles
The West Coast Eagles are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League. The club is based in Perth, Western Australia. The club was founded in 1986 and played its first games in the 1987 season. Its current home ground is Subiaco Oval...
, Porplyzia booted his 100th goal in AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
footy, and also achieved a career high 6 goals. On 2 October Porplyzia was officially recognized for being Adelaide's leading goalscorer at the Best and Fairest awards. He also won the coaches award and finished runner up to Bernie Vince in the Best and Fairest by 2 votes.