MPNFL 2018: Sorrento came close to signing ex-Melbourne captain Jack Trengove before he joined Port Adelaide

A COUNTRY football club has revealed it came close to sealing a deal for ex-Melbourne captain Jack Trengove before he was offered an AFL lifeline by Port Adelaide.

A COUNTRY football club came close to sealing a deal for ex-Melbourne captain Jack Trengove before he was offered an AFL lifeline by Port Adelaide.

Mornington Peninsula club Sorrento, where former Demon Luke Tapscott is coach, has revealed it had all but secured Trengove to join its crop of ex-AFL talent for 2018.

MPNFL 2018: NICKY WINMAR AT DEVON MEADOWS

MPNFL 2018: NICK JEWELL KEEN TO COACH AGAIN

Former Saint Troy Schwarze, ex-Gold Coast Sun Mitchell Hallahan and Collingwood spearhead Chris Dawes call Sorrento’s David McFarlane Reserve home.

Trengove was all set to join that trio until Power coach Ken Hinkley came calling.

Jack Trengove tackles St Kilda’s Jack Steven. Picture: David Mariuz.

About two hours after Tapscott believed he had clinched Trengove’s signing, Hinkley made contact with Trengove and revealed Port Adelaide would offer him an opportunity as a delisted free agent.

The 26-year-old made his AFL debut for the Power in Round 15 against Carlton, gathering 21 disposals and eight marks.

Jack Trengove tries to dish out a handball under pressure from St Kilda’s Jack Steele.

Trengove’s career was curtailed by a serious foot injury at the Demons after he was the second pick in the 2009 AFL draft.

The on-baller was limited to just seven games in three seasons before he was cut by Melbourne.

After signing for Port Adelaide, the South Australian revealed he had been told he was “probably not” in the Power’s best side.

But his form at SANFL level won him a mid-year call up to the Power team.

Sorrento sits top of the MPNFL ladder after 13 rounds with a 10-3 record and Trengove’s inclusion would have made its side even more formidable.

However, Hinkley’s intervention did save Tapscott a potential player points issue.

Under AFL Victoria’s player points policy, ex-AFL players are worth six points when they exit the elite level unless they return to their home clubs.

Sorrento’s team which took on Bonbeach on Saturday was worth 37 or the allotted 39 points it is allowed, so Trengove would have tipped it over the limit.