Orazio Fantasia shuts down “go home” trade talk linking him to Power, Crows

Essendon forward Orazio Fantasia says he is happy at the Bombers as he laughs off trade rumours he is looking to return to his home state to join the Power.

Orazio Fantasia has laughed off suggestion he wants out of Essendon and is seeking a trade to bring him home to South Australia.

And Adelaide’s two AFL clubs have also distanced themselves from the public speculation surrounding the Bombers forward following yesterday’s reports the 23-year-old was seeking a move back to SA.

An online report said Norwood product Fantasia had made it clear to Essendon his desire to move back to Adelaide — preferably with Port Adelaide, where he would seek to renew a longstanding relationship with former Redlegs coach and current Power forward assistant Nathan Bassett.

Orazio Fantasia of the Bombers takes a high mark over Sam Reid of the Giants. Picture: AFL Photos via Getty Images

It was reported Fantasia’s partner and family remain in SA, strengthening his go-home pull.

But Fantasia, a No. 55 pick for Essendon at the 2013 national draft, said he had no plans to leave the Bombers.

“No, I read that today, I had a bit of a laugh and the boys had a laugh about it,” he said.

“I signed last year in August, and I think that shows my commitment to the football club.”

The two-year contract extension Fantasia signed last year is understood to have secured him at Essendon until the end of 2021, meaning his only way out would be through a trade.

Earlier, Fantasia’s manager, Anthony McConville, was adamant the rumours were false.

“He is going nowhere,” McConville said.

“He is happy where he is and he has just signed a contract.”

Even before Fantasia moved to shut down the rumour last night both Port Adelaide and Adelaide were quick to play down their roles in the speculation, which was sparked by a story on the league’s official website, afl.com.au, at lunchtime yesterday.

The Power held the strongest link to Fantasia — as a teenager he played under Bassett in Norwood’s 2013 SANFL premiership. The duo spent a further two years together at Essendon when Fantasia was drafted, and Bassett joined the AFL’s coaching ranks as an assistant under Mark Thompson.

Port issued a quick “no comment” following the trade rumour.

Adelaide — flush with small forwards including Tyson Stengle, Jordan Gallucci and Lachie Murphy — also distanced itself from the innuendo. “As has been the case in previous years, we prefer not to publicly discuss our list management and recruitment strategies until an appropriate time,” a club spokesman said.

Fantasia, who’s kicked 105 goals in his 69 games for the Bombers, in January was elevated to the Bombers’ five-man leadership group for this year.

At the time, coach John Worsfold said: “We feel all five men bring strong and diverse qualities that will ensure the growth of the playing group across a number of values and we hope this resonates on-field too”.