North Melbourne finally primed to land a recruit with big offer to Power wingman Jared Polec
PORT Adelaide is still to decide how it will make a counter bid to out-of-contract wingman Jared Polec as the South Australian considers North Melbourne’s hot offer.
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PORT Adelaide is still undecided on its final offer to out-of-contract wingman Jared Polec, who is destined to become the winner of North Melbourne’s long-running play to make a strategic strike in the AFL trade market.
The Power understands its current three-year offer to 25-year-old Polec will not quell the temptation of a five-year, $3.5 million offer - with $1 million in the first season - from the Kangaroos.
But Port Adelaide has not made its own call on whether it should counter North Melbourne offer to the speedy midfielder with extra seasons to the current contract offer - or more money to narrow the $2 million gap with the Kangaroos.
The Power does have salary cap room to repeat its recent play that upgraded injured defender Hamish Hartlett’s contract at Alberton after he rebuffed grand temptation from North Melbourne and Richmond in 2015.
Port Adelaide football chief Chris Davies on Monday said the Power had no issue with Polec considering his options.
“Players have the right to negotiate in a professional competition; it is about their livelihoods,” Davies said.
“We are still working with Jared and his management as to what 2019 looks like.
“Jared looks like he wants to stay with the footy club. So this will go back and forth ...”
Port Adelaide will hold the final say on Polec’s future - either with an upgraded contract offer or in how the South Australian is traded in October.
The Power could force the Kangaroos to deal with counter trade offers from St Kilda, which currently holds the No. 4 draft pick in November while North Melbourne has No. 9.
Polec, a first-round draftee when he was claimed by Brisbane in 2010, has four suitors - North Melbourne, St Kilda, Sydney and Carlton. The Kangaroos are the frontrunners by the enormous contract North Melbourne has before Polec, whose line-breaking run and booming left-foot kicks would make him ideally suited to Brad Scott’s playbook at the fast deck of Etihad Stadium.
A prime part of the Power midfield since he left Brisbane at the end of 2013, Polec has played 103 AFL games - 87 with Port Adelaide - and overcome a serious foot injury.
Polec has repeatedly declared a preference to stay at Alberton, telling The Advertiser last month: “I love Port Adelaide. I’ve always been a Port Adelaide fan. Hopefully, something will get done (before the finals).”
But the $2 million difference in North Melbourne’s offer and Port Adelaide’s current contract practically makes it impossible for Polec to rebuff the Kangaroos.