PORT Adelaide great Gavin Wanganeen has praised the Power for its patience and Jasper Pittard for his resilience, as he racks up All-Australian numbers this season.

At 24, the maligned Pittard has overcome nervous moments and bronx cheers for turnovers early in his career to become one of the Power’s most important players.

He is the No.1 ranked player in the competition for effective kicks, No.1 for short kicks and No.6 for total kicks this season.

While he still averages two clangers a game, Pittard’s good outweighs the bad and he is the obvious go-to man in defence, along with Matthew Broadbent.

Brownlow Medallist and 300-gamer Wanganeen says it’s a credit to Port Adelaide coaches and Pittard himself for having the courage to continue playing brave footy no matter what the price.

“It’s a credit to him and the coaching staff for giving him the confidence to stick at it,” Wanganeen told The Advertiser.

“(For saying to him) no matter what, you’re going to play that way and you live and die by the sword, so back yourself in regardless.

“The good outweighs the bad by a mile.

“People say he makes the odd mistake and sure he’s going to do that, everyone does, but look at the metres gained - it’s invaluable.”

Port’s defensive coach Matthew Nicks said Pittard had been a “standout” but his form this season was reflective of the entire defensive unit doing its job.

In consecutive weeks full back Alipate Carlile has held Hawthorn’s Jarryd Roughead and Adelaide’s Taylor Walker to a combined 2.3 in front of goal.

“But you can’t take anything away from Jasper and the pre-season he had,” Nicks said.

“Players get better the more games they play, they get more experience and understand the way the game needs to be played.

“He’s matured and his understanding of the game has gone to another level this season.

“The frustration (with mistakes) was more external than internal ... he’s a young kid and he’s learning his craft.

“And if you’re not learning from your mistakes then you won’t be an AFL footballer. Jasper is learning from them and you see a player who is more developed and with greater understanding.”

Despite a quiet first game against Fremantle, Pittard’s five games this season have matched the disposals and rebound 50s Brodie Smith and Nick Malceski produced to become All-Australian half-backs last year.

“His (Pittard) run and carry has been vital to the side and when it’s (ball) in his hands, look at all the stuff he sets up,” Wanganeen said.

“If he maintains this form for three quarters of the year - it’s hard to play like that week-in, week-out and he’s going to have little dips - but if he can bounce back after a quiet game he’ll be a half-back All-Australian.

“That’s not putting pressure on him, he’s doing the right things and he’s old and mature enough to keep that consistency.”

Pittard was a first-round draftee in 2009 and while there was never any doubt over his footy smarts, he spent the 2010 season in the SANFL with Sturt until he was physically mature enough for the next level.

JASPER PITTARD IN 2015

Averaging 24.2 disposals (15.9 in 2014)

Averaging 5.2 rebound 50s (3.5 in 2014)

Ranked 1st in the AFL for effective kicks @ 13.6 per game

Ranked 1st in the AFL for short kicks @ 9.2 per game

Ranked 6th in the AFL for kicks @ 16.8 per game

Ranked 6th in the AFL for rebound 50s @ 5.2 per game

Ranked 12th in the AFL for clanger kicks @ 2 per game

2014 ALL-AUSTRALIAN HALF-BACKS

BRODIE SMITH (Adelaide)

Averaged 22.5 disposals and 4.9 rebound 50s

NICK MALCESKI (Sydney)

Averaged 23 disposals and 5.1 rebound 50s