Power’s trade bait list will not include Port Adelaide defender Matthew Broadbent

PORT Adelaide’s refit — with the AFL club’s longest-ever “trade bait” list — should not have defender Matthew Broadbent end his family ties at Alberton.

Matthew Broadbent beats Sam Reid for the ball. Picture: Sarah Reed.

PORT Adelaide’s refit — with the AFL club’s longest-ever “trade bait” list — should not have defender Matthew Broadbent end his family ties at Alberton.

As Port Adelaide vice-captain Hamish Hartlett continues to review his suitors in Melbourne, leading player manager Tom Petroro is dismissing speculation Broadbent’s contract has become valuable currency for the Power in this month’s AFL trade period.

“I’ve not been in discussions with other club re Matty,” Petroro said Wednesday. “I doubt he would play anywhere else than the Power in 2017.”

Broadbent, 26, is one of several players on significant long-term contracts at Alberton where the Power’s trade strategy appears designed to generate draft picks to give senior coach Ken Hinkley new talent to develop in his fifth season.

Broadbent last year signed a four-year contract extension that allows him to build on his family traditions at Port Adelaide until at least the end of 2019. Petroro noted Wednesday Broadbent’s heritage at Alberton — where his grandfather was part of the club’s medical team from 1970-2003 — would make it difficult for any AFL club to come up with a successful sales pitch.

TRADE NEWS: WINES AMONG PORT’S MUST-KEEP PLAYERS

Port Adelaide is known to have a 13-player trade list that will be presented to its 17 AFL rivals when the clubs gather at Etihad Stadium on Monday for the start of the annual trade period.

Hartlett, 26, is the major player among that trade bait that also includes ruckman Matthew Lobbe, on his own wish to be at a club where he can be the No. 1 ruckman. This could be Richmond which surprised Wednesday by extending former Crows ruckman Ivan Maric’s contract to next season.

Hartlett arrived in Melbourne on Tuesday to start his review of several Melbourne-based clubs with the aim of telling Port Adelaide his preferences before going overseas. The major suitors are expected to be St Kilda, Essendon and Richmond.

TRADE NEWS: SHOULD PORT TRADE WINES?

North Melbourne, which with the Tigers made a major play on Hartlett last season, is not expected to be in the chase again during this trade period. The Kangaroos are now focused on securing Carlton shutdown defender Zach Tuohy with a four-year deal.

Port Adelaide wants a first-round draft pick for Hartlett, who would carry to his new club a five-year contract with a $600,000-a-season salary.

St Kilda — where former Power coaching director Alan Richardson is the senior coach and aware of Hartlett’s talents — currently has the No. 10 pick in next month’s AFL draft. This seems an over-the-odds price to pay for Hartlett (a No. 4 pick in 2008) unless there is a swap of draft picks between the Saints and Power.

The AFL trade period closes at 1.30pm Thursday, October 20.

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