Dougal Howard made his AFL debut for Port Adelaide on Saturday after being a late call-up to the team in the derby against Adelaide.
Howard kicked a sensational goal over his head in the second term to spark Port, but in the end fell 58 points short in a one-sided derby at Adelaide Oval.
Howard has strong ties to the local farming area with his mother Christine growing up in Milbrulong and father Trevor in Osborne.
Attending school in Wagga he played football in 2013 for Wagga Tigers, before heading to Albury Tigers when in Murray Bushrangers TAC Cup team.
He had started his junior AFL career with East Wagga under 11s and after only a few matches made the state primary school team that year.
At 20 years old, Howard was drafted in 2014 as pick number 56 by Port Adelaide and stands 199cm and weighs 92kg, wearing number 32.
Howard represented NSW/ACT in the National 2014 championships prior to being drafted by Port, following several impressive performances.
Young Dougal has also created a small bit of history by becoming the only person to play AFL/VFL with the name Dougal.
The Howard family made a rushed trip to Adelaide to watch Dougal’s momentous occasion in what looks to be the start of a bright future.
- Adelaide Crows 22.12 (144) d Port Adelaide 11.20 (86)
