Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley says out-of-contract Karl Amon is a required player — and is confident he'll reject Victorian suitors and stay at Alberton
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley says out-of-contract Karl Amon and Billy Frampton are required players, confident they will stay at Alberton next season.
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Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley says he is confident of keeping classy wingman Karl Amon at the club.
While the Power is letting veteran ruckman Paddy Ryder and small forward Sam Gray explore the trade market, Hinkley said the out-of-contract Amon — coming off a career-best season — was a required player.
This is despite St Kilda and Melbourne circling the 24-year-old.
“Karl is a Victorian boy who will look at his options and I’ve said this before and one day I will get it wrong, but I will be surprised if he’s not with us (next year),’’ Hinkley said.
“He was one of those young people who got opportunities this year — after Jared Polec went to North Melbourne.
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“We are really comfortable with what Karl was able to do, having the freedom of the wing.
“We’ve had a conversation with Karl and I’ve said all along that I’m really comfortable and confident that Karl enjoys his time at Port Adelaide and will want to be here next year.
“He’s incredibly tight with his family, like everyone is, and his family are in Melbourne so he always gets to this time of year and just probably re-checks and reviews what he’s trying to achieve.
“Karl is certainly looking through what the options look like but I would be surprised if he left.’’
Amon debuted in 2015 but played just 42 games in five years on the list prior to this year, prompting him to pursue a failed trade back to Victoria at the end of last year.
He played a career-high 17 games this season, averaging a career-best 19.6 disposals and kicking nine goals.
Hinkley said he also wanted out-of-contract, 200cm key forward Billy Frampton, who is being courted by a handful of rivals and will play in Saturday night’s SANFL qualifying final against the Crows, to stay at Alberton.
Adelaide is one club reported to be keen on acquiring the 22-year-old.
“I would imagine and hope that Billy will still be at Port Adelaide,’’ Hinkley told FIVEaa.
“There’s a bit still to play out because he’s got an exciting time in front of him for the next four weeks.
“He’s led the SANFL team really well as a key forward and kicked a number of goals.
“We’re excited about what Billy’s been able to do because he’s really only had 12 months training as a forward.
“Everyone looks at Billy and thinks he’s a ruckman but we now view him as a forward, a key position forward.
“There are opportunities in the future for Bill (at Port).’’
Hinkley also said tough midfielder Sam Powell-Pepper was “a committed Port Adelaide player’’ amid speculation he could be put on the trade market.