Embattled Port ruck Ivan Soldo releases statement to ‘clear some things up’ after intense ‘narrative’

Port Adelaide ruck Ivan Soldo has released an emphatic statement on his own Instagram account, hitting back at a “ridiculous” and “backwards narrative” that has followed him and his partner during AFL trade period.

Soldo was traded to the Power from Richmond during last year’s off-season in the hope that he would become Port’s No.1 ruck, having played mostly in the shadow of Tigers skipper Toby Nankervis during his career.

The move didn’t work out as he would have hoped, playing just eight senior games as he battled injury and form issues, while fellow 2024 recruit Jordon Sweet rose to become the club’s clear first choice in the ruck.

Making matters worse, Soldo has also had to navigate reports that his partner has been unhappy in Adelaide and would push for a move home.

With some interest from St Kilda, the 28-year-old asked to be traded during his exit interview with Port Adelaide, but had to get his head around staying in Adelaide when that interest cooled from the Saints.

Inconveniently then for Soldo, his best mate’s wedding fell on the same night as Port Adelaide’s best and fairest, meaning he wasn’t able to attend, which had some pundits wrongly speculating that he had cut ties with the club after the trade request.

Sick of all the strands of speculation around different parts of his life and career, Soldo released a statement on Wednesday.

“I’m honestly fed up with this ridiculous narrative that seems to not stop circulating,” he wrote.

“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 friend’s wedding, that I was the best man for. In which the club fully supported me to attend.”

Speaking on AFL Trade Radio, Kane Cornes has been highly critical of the way Soldo has carried himself through this period.

“He certainly hasn’t enhanced his reputation in all of this,” Cornes said.

Speaking directly to Cornes, Soldo went on in his statement: “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 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.”

Watch all the action unfold on Trade Countdown live on 7plus at 7pm

Soldo may have “no intentions” of leaving Port Adelaide now, but Power footy boss confirmed on Wednesday morning that he did want out when he spoke to the club after the season.

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

“I’m sure if he had his time again, he might have just kept his powder dry before suggesting he wanted out.

“What happens to Ivan (now)? Unless something happens today, he comes back to our club and fights for a ruck spot.”

Davies said Soldo has been given a hard time, but admitted it hasn’t all gone to plan.

“I think that he’s been treated unfairly, to be honest,” he said.

“I did see some suggestion that he had pulled the pin on coming to our best and fairest because he was asking to be traded — that wasn’t true, he was actually involved in a wedding party on the same night. So, that’s a non-event.

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

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

“But right now, I’m OK with Ivan staying. Yes, we probably had our clear, number one ruck by the end of the year in Jordon Sweet, but we do have a young, developing ruck in Dante Visentini and competition for both of people from Ivan won’t be a bad thing.”

Barring anything extraordinary, Soldo will remain a Port Adelaide player.

“I think he’s probably staying. It sounded like St Kilda was the option and when they didn’t quite like his knee as much as they thought they might, maybe they pulled the pin there,” Davies said.