Port Adelaide president David Koch rates Chad Wingard’s exit a win-win situation
PORT Adelaide president David Koch says trading out Chad Wingard and Jared Polec is mutually beneficial and has put faith in the Power’s ‘pretty flaming good list’ to steer the club back to finals after this year’s ‘fail’.
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DAVID Koch rates Chad Wingard’s exit from Alberton a win-win situation and Port Adelaide a 2019 finals force despite the added loss of Jared Polec.
Port Adelaide will start next season without two of its super six performers of 2018, Wingard and Polec.
Koch did not elaborate on why Port couldn’t tap dual All Australian Wingard’s potential over the past three years but noted it was mutually beneficial to part ways.
“Chad has said he loved his time at Port Adelaide but is getting too comfortable and needed a refresh,” said Koch.
“At the exit interviews he and Ken had some robust discussions on what Ken wanted to achieve in the next 12 months. Chad thought that it would be tough for him to deliver and maybe he needs to rejuvenate his career somewhere else.
“When you get a result that is good for the player and club I think it works out for everyone.”
Port received Ryan Burton, picks 15 and 35 for Wingard but risked a diminished return if Wingard left at the end of next year as a free agent.
“There were indications that Chad, who is up for free agency next year, would be looking around for alternatives. Every player will do what’s best for them,” Koch told FIVEaa.
Port Adelaide finished 10th this season which Koch conceded was a “fail” but said there was a fine line between a top-four finish or bust.
“In 2014 fourth to 12th was a seven game difference, this year it was a two game difference. We are so close to that top four position as are the top 12 or 13 teams,” said Koch.
Koch said the addition of West Coast premiership ruckman Scott Lycett would bolster the Power while it was mindful of stockpiling picks for this year’s boom draft. Port will target South Australian talent including Jack Lukosius, Izak Rankine and Connor Rozee in next month’s AFL draft.
“Our list manager and coaching staff have a plan to get us back into finals and this is part of the plan and getting back into finals,” said Koch.
“It is a pretty flaming good list. Scott Lycett coming from West Coast Eagles will be an important cog for us. Even 12 months ago we said we were targeting this draft period as it was such a strong draft.
“It has all been part of the plan. You have to weigh up a number of things when you put a group together.”
Koch indicated Ken Hinkley’s coaching staff would be better for the inclusion of Brett Montgomery and Jarrad Schofield.
Matthew Nicks — who it is understood wanted to take a hardline approach on Wingard this season — and Aaron Greaves have departed Hinkley’s coaching unit.
The arrival of premiership duo Schofield and Montgomery would reinforce old school Port values argued Koch.
“It is about the mix of the coaching staff and how they connect and communicate with players,” said Koch.
“Both of them are part of our 2004 grand final team. Port blokes who understand Port culture, who understand what is to play the Port Adelaide way.”