St Kilda ups the ante in its bid for Port Adelaide star Jared Polec
ST KILDA is understood to have upped the ante in its pursuit of out-of-contract Port Adelaide wingman Jared Polec, with reports it has blown North Melbourne’s ‘godfather’ offer out of the water.
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ST KILDA is understood to have upped the ante in its pursuit of out-of-contract Port Adelaide wingman Jared Polec, with reports it has blown North Melbourne’s “godfather’’ offer out of the water.
With the Power saying it can’t match North Melbourne's “ridiculously good money’’ offer of $3.5 million over five years, it has been reported by Channel 9 that the Saints have offered Polec an extra $500,000.
After appearing to have lost out to Port in its bid for West Coast ruckman Scott Lycett, St Kilda’s offer for Polec is said to be $4 million over five years.
With such massive contracts on the table, the Power has all but conceded it cannot afford to keep the 25-year-old Polec, who is coming off his best season.
It has offered the classy left-footer a three-year deal worth $1.8 million.
“All the decisions we make are based on all the evidence we have, that includes medical (Polec has battled foot problems) and long term viability and I won’t bust the bank or bust the club to keep one (player), it’s just not right,’’ Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley said.
“We think Jared is an outstanding player and we made him a really sound and good offer but it’s gone to a point where we say ‘that’s it’,’’
Former Power captain and The Advertiser columnist Warren Tredrea said the Power would be mad to try to match the big offers for Polec.
“Let’s face it, there is no way they are going to match it because that’s Robbie Gray (type) money,’’ he said.
“You are not going to pay Polec what you are paying your best player.’’