One of the most promising Penola youngsters to emerge from McCorquindale Park in recent years has received some high-profile recognition from the heights of Tigerland.

After putting together an impressive debut season in Glenelg’s Under 18 SANFL setup – a side which featured five Limestone Coast players – growing Eagle Darcy Porter was awarded with the 2021 ER Curnow Medal.

The 18-year-old Penola product said he was taken aback to have the special silverware around his neck.

“I did not really expect to win anything and just thought I was going to have a decent night with the boys,” Porter said.

“Then they just called my name out.

“I am honoured because it is a pretty prestigious award at the Glenelg Football Club.”

Porter put the award named after Tigers’ great former player and coach Ray Curnow at the top of his list of achievements in his short playing career so far.

Being the son of Eagles’ club legend Tony Porter, Darcy was destined to wear the blue and white and impressed immediately during his Junior Colts debut in 2016.

He continued to climb up the ladder until being drafted into the senior setup in 2019.

Porter has played six A Grade KNTFL games for Penola, while his fine efforts leading the Senior Colts outfit put his name in front of the Glenelg hierarchy.

The young man put himself on the map performing in 15 Under 18’s games for the Bay, while he was on fire against Sturt and Central District kicking two goals and collecting 29 disposals.

Despite a shock loss in the Grand Final against Woodville West-Torrins, Porter said he loved the whole player-developing experience at ACH Group Stadium.

“I played a couple of trial games and it was hard to adjust to how fast and skillful it was compared to down here,” he said.

“You had to change your running patterns and how you play the game, so it took me a few rounds to get into the groove.

“We had a midseason review and some of my improvement areas were my fitness, metres per minute and not taking the first option.

“They just told me I had to trust my first option and work harder on my fitness and as the season wore on, I improved.”

Porter said being thrown around the ground in different positions added to the challenge.

“I would usually go from a forward flank to a midfield role rotating through the bench,” he said.

“So I played a sweeping role to playing on the defensive side or a stick-up half forward role to put a heap of tackling pressure on.”

The huge 2021 season for Porter finished on the big stage in front of a building Adelaide Oval crowd expectant of plenty of Tigers success.

Although the Eagles overturned a 52-point semi-final defeat to a 17-point Grand Final triumph, the Penola Tiger will struggle to forget the memories of the special day.

“I do not get very nervous in most situations, so it just felt like a surreal, pinch yourself moment,” Porter said.

“I have never had the opportunity to play on a ground like that so it was so cool walking up the race seeing a few thousand there.

“I just tried to soak it all in and not let it get to me because we had a job to do.”

Porter’s efforts were so good Tigerland is calling for his name to return at next year’s preseason trail and the youngster has high hopes for 2022.

“I have been invited back to try out for next season and I will definitely try to give it a fair crack,” he said.

“I enjoyed this year so much and it is a great opportunity.

“I do love playing for my home club, but hopefully I can get another opportunity to play a few senior games.

“I think I have come pretty far this year in most aspects of my game and if I have a strong preseason, there is no reason anyone in my position cannot do it (play SANFL Seniors).”