The Western Bulldogs have committed to Officer favourite son Cal Porter until at least the end of the 2020 AFL season, in a sign of just how promisingly the young gun is progressing.
In speaking to the Bulldogs’ website earlier this week, Porter spoke of the excitement he felt in continuing his stay at Whitten Oval.
“It’s super exciting – I’ve loved my first couple of years here,” he told Bulldogs Media.
“I love the people, I love the club, and the footy side of things has been really enjoyable.
“I’ve made a lot of good friends, and played some good footy – especially this year. “I’ve seen a lot of growth in my game, which has been pleasing. I’m just rapt to be able to stay here a bit longer.”
Porter praised fellow Gippsland Power product Josh Dunkley – who is having a breakout season as an integral part of the engine room in the Bulldogs’ AFL side – for working closely with him and helping to develop his game.
“I’ve looked up to him for a while – even before we both got here,” Porter said.
“Now that we’re here, we’ve been able to do a lot of work together. He’s obviously flying at the moment, and hopefully a bit of that will rub off on me but he’s been a super mentor for me.”
While Porter, the former Gippsland Power best and fairest winner, is yet to make his AFL debut, the 20-year-old has shown particularly promising signs while honing his game in the VFL with Footscray.
The Bulldogs are currently second on the ladder, having destroyed Essendon’s VFL arm by 93 points on Saturday. The hard-nosed Porter was best afield in the clash, backing up from his stellar form against Sandringham two rounds prior.
Against the Bombers Porter racked up 35 touches.
The Bulldogs selected Porter with pick 74 in the 2017 NAB AFL Draft.
He spoke to the Pakenham Gazette and Star News shortly after hearing his name read out while watching the coverage at home with just a few family members and close friends.
“Once we heard the news heaps of people came straight over and our driveway was completely filled with cars!” he said at the time.
Porter said the strength of the Bulldogs’ culture was immediately obvious to him, after the outpouring of congratulations he’d received from those in the club’s inner sanctum upon being drafted.
“In terms of being a young player, I don’t think I could have asked for a better club to go to,” he said.
“They’ve got an outstanding culture.”
