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http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/midfielder-keen-to-leave-port/2008/09/15/1221330747367.html
Midfielder keen to leave Port
Michael Gleeson | September 16, 2008
Midfielder keen to leave Port
Michael Gleeson | September 16, 2008
PORT ADELAIDE midfielder Adam Thomson has told the Power he wants to be traded, most likely to Victoria, and several clubs are interested in the uncontracted former first-round draft pick.
After managing only seven games in Port’s horrid year, Thomson, taken with pick 11 in the 2004 national draft, has said he wants out.
‘‘We are pretty disappointed because we have put a fair bit of work into him since taking him as a firstround draft pick,’’ Port football manager Peter Rohde said.
‘‘We have rated him but he just hasn’t been able to get much of a go because, even though we did not win a lot of games this year, our midfield has actually been quite strong, with (Steven) Salopek and (Travis) Boak having really good years and then the Burgoynes (Peter and Shaun). He has not been delisted. He has asked to be traded and I would imagine he will get a contract again with us if a trade does not work out.
‘‘We would be reluctant to lose him but he is out of contract and wants a trade, so we are not in a strong position to do much about it.’’
Rohde said discussions would be held with several clubs later in the week.
At Whitten Oval, ruckman Wayde Skipper’s life on the fringe has been extended after playing only one game this year to bring his career tally to 45 in six seasons, with the Western Bulldogs giving the 25-year-old a new contract.
The reserve ruckman, who has scarcely been sighted in Dogs colours, will be kept on the list as a depth player next year.
‘‘He is a survivor, but when you are his size and have some ability and you are a competitor and you train as hard as he does, then that’s what happens,’’ Dogs football manager James Fantasia said.
‘‘He has probably had his best year of footy but he has played only one game because we have two young developing ruckmen.’’
Peter Street, who is out of contract and also managed only one game this season, may struggle to retain his place on the list.
Sydney coach Paul Roos has ruled the club out of pursuing former Melbourne and Fremantle ruckman Jeff White as a replacement for the retired Peter Everitt.
‘‘I think Jeff still has something to offer AFL footy, to be honest, but I think from our point of view, probably not.
‘‘We’ve got Daniel Currie, who is a young ruckman coming up, and Jake Orreal, so probably not is my initial reaction, with no disrespect to Jeff,’’ Roos said.
The coach also confirmed that Sydney would ‘‘certainly’’ chase West Coast’s Daniel Kerr or Collingwood’s Alan Didak if they were available.
Geelong small forward Shannon Byrnes remains in contention to come into the side for the preliminary and possibly grand final teams, but — as has been his lot in recent times — he has often been the luckless player to be one of the first left out when injured players return.
Byrnes is out of contract but as yet has not declared whether he wishes to consider a move.
With MICHAEL COWLEY
