Port Adelaide ruckman Ivan Soldo has requested a trade to a Victorian club, with St Kilda being the likely landing spot, though no club has been officially nominated.
Soldo still has a year to play out on his contract signed at the end of last season when he first joined the Power.
The former Richmond ruck was seeking more opportunity with the move to Port Adelaide, replacing Scott Lycett and Sam Hayes.
Unfortunately he fell out of the side in favour of fellow recruit Jordon Sweet, who impressed in his 2024 finals campaign, most notably in the famous semi-final win over Hawthorn.
The 28-year-old tall is now eager to explore another move,ย Channel 9ย reporter Tom Morris providing the latest.
Ivan Soldo has officially requested a trade. He didnโt nominate a club, though it appears @stkildafc is the likely option.@FootyonNine @9NewsMelb
— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) September 24, 2024
If the hope again is to get a better run as the primary ruckman, St Kilda are an interesting fit, given their own 28-year-old ruckman, Rowan Marshall, is one of the top five best players on the team and a routine contender for the All-Australian ruck spot.
He would become an ideal backup for the Saints, with Jack Hayes' perpetual injury concerns and Tom Campbell being delisted.
READ: AFL journeyman eyed off by Victorian club
Soldo has played just 65 senior games in nine full years at AFL level after being picked up in the 2014 Rookie Draft by Richmond.
His best season came in 2019, when he featured 14 times with nine disposals and 26 hitouts per game.
His eight outings in 2024 saw him trump these averages with nearly 11 disposals and 28 hitouts, having started strongly in Round 1 with 14 disposals, six clearances and two goals against West Coast.
There is potential for Soldo to get a routine gig under Ross Lyon, who has dabbled in fielding both Marshall and Hayes when both are available.
Marshall is a capable forward target and goalkicker, but is still most impactful when he's roaming the ground and swallowing contested marks wherever he can.
The Power will hope to at least match what they lost to acquire Soldo, having given up Picks 41 and 49 and Fremantle's 2024 second round selection, with a fourth-rounder and Pick 50 in return.
The Saints hold just three picks in the upcoming National Draft; 7, 24 and 43.
The development adds further intrigue to Port Adelaide's active off-season, preparing to move on star defender Dan Houston while forward Jack Lukosius seeks a move to Alberton.
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