Ivan Soldo’s late trade to Port Adelaide changes Power strategy on Scott Lycett
The late change of heart by Richmond on dealing Ivan Soldo will see Scott Lycett forced out of Port Adelaide and a clutch of clubs interested in the soon-to-be delisted free agent.
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IVAN Soldo’s impassioned plea to be traded after rival interest for the third straight year set in chain a domino effect that saw him get to Port Adelaide and squeeze Scott Lycett out of a one-year deal.
Richmond had been steadfast that Soldo would not be released but he made a personal pitch to the club late in the trade period to be allowed to become a first ruck at the Power.
Soldo had turned down a lucrative offer from the Dogs at the end of 2021 and then was again the subject of trade talks with Greater Western Sydney last year but was held by the Tigers.
So while Richmond had pledged to keep him this trade period, they eventually relented when Port Adelaide offered Fremantle’s future second-rounder and pick 41.
He was to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of 2024.
Power ruckman Lycett is coming off a monster five-year deal of over $700,000 and had agreed that he would sign a one-year deal at Port Adelaide to play alongside Dogs ruckman Jordon Sweet.
The Soldo backflip from Richmond means he will now be delisted by the Power to allow him to get to the club of his choice as a delisted free agent.
But with only one-year deals likely to be offered by clubs including Richmond, Collingwood, St Kilda and Geelong, he is still weighing up his future.
Lycett had a medical in Adelaide with the Demons after surgery to clean up his meniscus and they were satisfied about the condition of his knee but instead secured Lions tall Tom Fullarton.
So while Lycett is fit to play he will still need to be convinced to move states again for only a one-year deal.
He is the only established ruckman of note on the open market after Todd Goldstein moved from North Melbourne to Essendon.
Eagles premiership ruckman Lycett will consider his future in coming days while attending the wedding of one of his former West Coast teammates.
But he could still secure a contract of around $300,000 plus bonuses if he decides to play on.
North Melbourne has decided it does not need another ruckman given it will back in Tristan Xerri and Callum Coleman-Jones.
But Richmond will consider all options to bring in ruck back-up while it also gives Samson Ryan and Ben Miller opportunities behind co-captain Toby Nankervis.
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Originally published as Ivan Soldo’s late trade to Port Adelaide changes Power strategy on Scott Lycett
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