Western Bulldogs make first play for contracted Port Adelaide midfielder-forward Chad Wingard
CONTRACTED Port Adelaide forward-midfielder Chad Wingard officially has a suitor as the Western Bulldogs make their first move for the Power enigma as he adds to the intrigue with a cryptic social media statement. Where will he play next year?
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CHAD Wingard officially has a suitor - the Western Bulldogs - as the contracted Port Adelaide midfielder-forward enters the AFL trade period having created more mystery on his future.
Western Bulldogs list manager Sam Power has confirmed the Melbourne-based club will pursue Wingard at the opening of AFL trade talks at Etihad Stadium on Monday. So far, the Bulldogs have not moved beyond contacting Wingard’s management.
“There’s no doubt we’ve got interest in Chad,” Power said in an AFL interview at the draft combine in Melbourne on Thursday.
“We definitely have some interest in Chad. We’ve signalled to his management our interest. That is the extent of it.
“There is a lot to play out and with a lot of movement through the trade period, but we’re always looking to improve our list.”
Wingard, 25, issued a statement on social media late on Thursday afternoon that does not clear away the speculation on his future that ranges from the Power’s 2013 club champion not wanting to leave Alberton to his management seeking a five-year deal worth $1 million a season.
Wingard wrote on Instagram: “You’ll hear my side of the story when the time is right dw (don’t worry) about that.
“But unless a statement comes from me or my management don’t listen to them.
“Thank you for all the support over the last couple of week it means a lot.”
So far, Wingard’s manager Tom Petroro has described reports that the two-time All-Australian last week told Port Adelaide he would stay at Alberton as “categorically untrue”.
But there has been no denial Wingard is measuring his worth in the market while Port Adelaide considers the merit of trading the South Australian before he becomes a free agent at the end of his contract in 12 months.
It is understood Wingard has not met any of his would-be suitors, in particular the Bulldogs and Hawthorn.
The AFL trade period formally opens on Friday with free agency. Port Adelaide on Thursday completed its second medical on West Coast premiership ruckman Scott Lycett at Alberton.
Lycett, 25, has left Adelaide to rejoin West Coast for its John Worsfold Medal count for the club champion on Friday.
He could use this event to formally announce his intent to return to Alberton, where he was an SANFL-listed Port Adelaide player before being claimed by the Eagles at No. 29 in the 2010 AFL national draft.
Lycett will gather at least a four-year contract with Port Adelaide. As a restricted free agent, West Coast need only match the Power’s offer to hold Lycett. This is most unlikely.
michelangelo.rucci@news.com.au