Alex Sexton isn’t accustomed to playing a run-with role but the 20-year-old might find himself with a few more minding jobs in the coming years after completely shutting down Port Adelaide dangerman Jared Polec last weekend.

It was a dirty day for the Power left-footer, and not just because of the sloppy conditions at a rain-soaked Metricon Stadium.

His run-and-carry and precise left boot have been big factors in Port’s success this season, but Sexton restricted him to just four touches before he was subbed out without making the slightest impact on the contest.

It was a very solid first hit-out in the role for Sexton, to keep a player averaging 20 touches per game in 2014 to non-factor status in the game, and it’s a job he’ll happily accept if it keeps him in the senior team.

“Obviously it’s a new role for me on the weekend,” Sexton said. “The coaches came to me midweek and explained that Polec’s a good runner so they wanted to put me on him and see how that went.

“If I ever needed to do that role again I can take full confidence out of the weekend that I can perform that role. Like I said it’s about playing the role for the team.

“I’m not really looking four seasons down the track to what and how I’m going to be playing and who I’m going to play like. If I get a role this week, I’ll embrace it the same way I did last game and if that’s my role for the team going forward and gets me in to the team, then I’m more than happy to play my role.”

Sexton has played 12 games this season after making 10 appearances in his previous two years. This weekend’s game against Essendon will be his first against the Bombers.