Ivan Soldo Instagram post, wants to stay at Port Adelaide despite request #adessonews

Power ruck Ivan Soldo has declared he has “no intentions of leaving” Port Adelaide as he fired back at commentators who criticised his absence from the club’s best and fairest.

Soldo on Wednesday released a statement via his Instagram account after several weeks in the footy media headlines.

The Power earlier this month confirmed Soldo had “asked to be traded to Victoria”, but stressed they would only deal the ruck if a “satisfactory deals” could be agreed upon.

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St Kilda was considering Soldo, but withdrew its interest in the ruck due to concerns around the 28-year old’s knee.

It came as Soldo copped criticism from Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley for not attending the Power’s best and fairest ahead of trade week.

“It makes no sense not to go. You can work your schedule around it,” Buckley told SEN Breakfast.

“That is one of a handful of days or occasions that you should be there for the football club.”

Soldo’s “character” was also questioned by four-time Power best and fairest winner Kane Cornes.

“The Saints have dodged a bullet here,” Cornes said on Channel 9’s Footy Furnace.

“So not only are they worried about the knee. They’d have to be worried about his character. I know … you reported that they (Power) are happy to have him back. I’m not certain of that.

“And certainly, Ivan doesn’t want to go back. He’s got to really look at the way he’s carried himself at Port Adelaide and the character that he is.”

But Soldo on Wednesday hit back.

“I’m honestly fed up with this ridiculous narrative that keeps circulating,” Soldo wrote on an Instagram story post.

“Let’s just clear some things up, the ONLY reason I didn’t attend the PAFC best and fairest was because it was on the same night as my best friends wedding, that I was the best man for. In which the club fully supported me to attend. If that reflects badly on my character then Kane our values clearly don’t align. 

“In regards to the trade, this happens every year and it’s just apart (sic) of the job. I’m still contracted with port and have no intentions of leaving.

“Also, the bullying and hate towards my partner also needs to stop, this backwards narrative is getting old.”

Power football boss Chris Davies on Wednesday morning confirmed the club was aware of Soldo’s involvement in the wedding party, adding he’d been “treated unfairly” in that regard.

Davies, though, did suggest Soldo hadn’t settled well in Adelaide since being traded from Richmond 12 months ago.

“I don’t really know what happened from St Kilda’s perspective where he comes in to an exit interview and asks to be traded but hasn’t done whatever medical is required to get the other club on the hook,” Davies told AFL Trade Radio.

“I’m sure if (Soldo) had his time again he might’ve just kept his powder dry before suggesting he wanted out.

“Unless something happens (on Wednesday) he comes back to our club and fights for a ruck spot.

“I think Ivan hasn’t settled in Adelaide the way he and maybe we haven’t liked and we have a part to play in that as well.

“So we’ve got to try and help him into the future and settle into the city a little bit more. And if he can’t do that, we’ll probably be in this situation again next year.”

Soldo is contracted to the Power until 2026.