Power skipper Connor Rozee speaks on potential Alex Neal-Bullen, Jack Lukosius trades
Connor Rozee has hinted at his potential role in luring close mate Jack Lukosius back to South Australia and weighed in on whether Alex Neal-Bullen could become a Power player.
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Adelaide has emerged as the early front-runner for wantaway Melbourne midfielder Alex Neal-Bullen after he requested a trade to return to South Australia.
But Port Adelaide captain Connor Rozee says he and Jack Lukosius, who met with Crows coach Matthew Nicks last week, “speak almost every single day” but “not specifically about” a potential move from the Gold Coast to SA.
What looms as an already busy trade and free agency period for the two SA clubs was added to on Wednesday morning with the Demons announcing that Neal-Bullen has requested a trade to SA for family reasons.
The 28-year-old has played 174 games for the Demons and said it was a tough decision.
“It’s something that I thought long and hard about, and had some really open and honest conversations with my wife, Georgie, about where our best future lies,” Neal-Bullen said.
“The decision became clear that I need to put my family first, and move our family back to South Australia.
“For the club to allow me to do the best thing for my family, I can’t thank them enough.
“They’ve embraced me as an individual, and they’ve allowed me to grow into the footballer, but also the now father, that I am.
“I’m forever grateful that I’ve been able to play for this great club and still have two more games that I want to pour everything into, to make sure we finish the year off really strongly.”
While he has flown under the radar in the past, Neal-Bullen has received plaudits for his role for the Demons in 2024.
His versatility has been on show as he impressed in forward and midfield roles, especially in the Demons’ win over Port in Round 3.
Both the Crows and the Power are on the hunt for a medium-forward and the 182cm Neal-Bullen could improve both their forward lines.
The Crows are understood to have a significant amount of salary cap space following the retirement of Rory Sloane, Tom Doedee leaving and their attempt at Neal-Bullen’s teammate Harrison Petty.
Rival clubs are expecting Port’s All-Australian defender Dan Houston to request a trade to Melbourne in the off-season, so there is the potential of Neal-Bullen being included in any potential move if the Power are interested.
But it is understood that the Crows are considered as the more likely destination for Neal-Bullen at the moment.
When asked about Neal-Bullen on Wednesday, Rozee said he would leave it to those behind the scenes at the Power.
“I only saw that about half and hour ago, so not sure exactly what that means,” he said.
“I am sure he would love to get back to his family but I will leave it up to the staff (here).”
But Rozee did say the Power were looking to get better in 2025.
“There are lots of people out there … we want to get better every year and that includes going hard in the trade period and in the draft like we have over the past couple of years,” he said.
“An important part of our side is getting people from interstate and we have a really good retention rate at our club.
“This year I am sure there will be movement, where it will be us or other clubs.”
An Adelaide spokesman said they were aware of the Demon’s trade request.
“Given he has cited family matters behind his decision to move we will respect his privacy at this time,” he said.
Lukosius could be another SA product who looks at a move home, after he was dropped by the Suns for last Saturday’s clash against Essendon and appears to be falling out of favour at Gold Coast.
It is understood Nicks met with the 24-year-old swingman last week as the Crows look to add to Jordan Dawson and Izak Rankine as SA products they have brought back to Adelaide.
Rozee and Lukosius are good friends and the Power captain joked he might have to jump in to ensure Alberton is the destination if the Woodville-West Torrens product looks to return to SA.
“We speak almost every day, not specifically about the situation but he is going OK,” he said.
“I might have to do some convincing, I’m sure he will love to come home he is a South Australian but there is a lot to play out and it is a very personal decision.”
Should Lukosius look to move to South Australia, the Power would put its name forward as a suitor but right now doesn’t have a first-round pick to use to get the Suns to part with the former No. 2 pick. The Crows have pick No. 4 and pick No. 26 - tied to Melbourne - at this stage in the draft.
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