Bio

Age: 27
Drafted: Pick 16, 2009 
Position: Defender
Games: 126
Career High:  34 disposals v Sydney, Round 2, 2015

Career so far

Jasper Pittard was drafted to Port Adelaide as a hard-running rebounding defender.

After being restricted by injuries in his first year at Alberton, Pittard made a strong impression his first season, debuting in Round 1, 2011 and played 13 games for the year.

In the Round 4 ‘Showdown’ against Adelaide - his fourth game - Pittard excelled with 25 disposals and received a Rising Star nomination. 

However, injuries again impacted in 2012, and he managed just one game.

He returned to the fore in 2013, playing 17 games and helped the Power reach a semi-final.

Port went one better in 2014, with Pittard playing in every game, as the Power narrowly missed out on a spot in the Grand Final.

Pittard cemented his status as one of the most exciting young rebound defenders in the league, with the then 23-year-old leading the league for bounces.

Pittard enjoyed another fine season in 2015, with a 34-disposal effort in Round 2 against the Swans - a career-high.

But the Port number 29 took his game to yet another level in 2016.

Averaging 22.6 disposals and ranked fourth in the AFL for rebound 50s, Pittard earned a spot in the 40-man All Australian squad.

Niggling injuries kept Pittard to 17 games in 2017, but he still averaged 20 disposals.

2018 was an indifferent year, with form and injury keeping him to 11 games.

North fans will be hoping a return to Melbourne and a change of club will see Pittard regain his 2016 form, and give the Roos another element of pace and penetration off half-back.

What they say

“Jasper is a highly skilled defender who can do a lot of damage with his rebound and run. 

"We’ve always been looking through this period for a half-back flanker, a guy who can run and carry and kick the footy. 

"We’ve obviously spoken to a few players to try and fit that bill, and we think if we can get Jasper back to the form of a couple of years ago when he was in the All-Australian 40-man squad, then we think he can can be a handy player for us. 

"He is an excellent player to have across half-back.” - Cameron Joyce, General Manager of Football. 

What he says

“Over the past few years when my contracts have been up for discussion, North have always been in the conversation and had always enquired about my movements.

“This time around I was looking for a club back home and North was a great fit. 

“Their continued interest in me over the years, obviously made me feel good about them too.

“I haven’t set the world on fire over the past two seasons, but I’m confident I can get back to my best at North.

“North surprised a few people last year and I’ve always liked the way they’ve played. They play a tough and honest brand which I really like."