Scott Lycett to stay in retirement despite being linked with Victorian clubs

Scott Lycett has revealed whether he’s open to interest from Victorian clubs — including Collingwood and Geelong — after retiring at the end of Port Adelaide’s campaign.

Scott Lycett has confirmed he is retiring from AFL football, revealing he passed up offers to play on in 2024 to focus on his long-term health and happiness.

While Port Adelaide announced earlier this week that Lycett was retiring, Victorian clubs were hopeful he might find a way to Melbourne in a back-up role next year.

Lycett said he was done at the AFL level on Friday.

“Yeah I am retired, still planning on playing somewhere but just for fun,” he told SEN SA.

“The last couple of years, it has been pretty well documented the injuries that I have had.

“Just some advice from doctors as well, they are not quite sure how I have been able to keep playing with my knees — they are quite amazed.

“So that is a pretty big indication for me. I am struggling to get out of cars at the moment with my knees, and feeling quite sore and stuff

“It is unfortunate but it catches up to everyone.”

Lycett had a medical with Melbourne during the trade period.

Collingwood, Geelong and St Kilda also showed interest.

“You never say never to anything I guess, I had the opportunity to keep playing elsewhere but with the body and I have moved around a lot in my life,” he said.

“I just put my body and happiness first

“There were a couple of clubs that were interested... I just wanted to put my happiness first and look after my health.”

Scott Lycett says he is definitely retired. Picture: Michael Klein

Lycett revealed that he played in Port Adelaide’s qualifying final loss to Brisbane three weeks after knee surgery.

He said the Power offered him a deal but it was nowhere near enough to tempt him to go around again.

“They offered me a deal at some stage of the year and it wasn’t great... if it was money I could have said no to who knows I probably would have considered it,” he said.

“I could have played on somewhere else but at the end of the day I am pretty content I have put my health and my happiness first.”

In addition to Lycett, the Power announced on Monday evening that small forward Orazio Fantasia, ruckman Sam Hayes and young key defender Jake Pasini would leave the club.

Fantasia has joined Carlton on a two-year deal, with the Power saying it offered him a deal but he decided to look elsewhere.

Pasini will be delisted despite still having a year remaining on his contract, while Hayes was advised he won’t receive a deal for 2024.

Pasini, 22, leaves Alberton without playing an AFL game after being selected by the Power in as a rookie in 2019.

He was close to selection for the Power in 2022, but suffered an ACL injury that ended his season.

Pasini played all 19 games for the Magpies in the SANFL this season.

Hayes, 24, made his debut for the Power in 2022 and played 11 games for Ken Hinkley’s side, four of them coming this year.