Port Adelaide set to reap rewards from Hamish Hartlett trade drama

PORT Adelaide’s foiled attempt to trade Hamish Hartlett last month can be a blessing in disguise for both club and player according to two former club legends and now footy experts.

Hamish Hartlett during a drill at Port Adelaide pre-season training. Picture: Sarah Reed

PORT Adelaide’s foiled attempt to trade Hamish Hartlett last month can be a blessing in disguise for both club and player according to two former club legends and now footy experts.

Hartlett backed up his defiant stance to stay at Alberton with actions in the past week when he joined pre-season training early with the Power’s young players.

He was told in his post-season exit interview that he was not untouchable and would be traded if he agreed to a deal being done.

The 26-year-old met with some Melbourne-based clubs but decided to remain at the Power to finish what he started.

Dwayne Russell believes the scenario would have forced Hartlett to reflect on why he found himself in that situation, while Kane Cornes says Port can get the best out of him if they play him permanently across half-back next season.

“I think it will be a blessing in disguise for Port Adelaide — they really need him, he’s still in their best half-a-dozen players,” said Cornes, who first revealed Port’s stance on Hartlett in September.

“I don’t think it’s going to affect him one bit, it’s the nature of the industry now and he’s quality in everything he does.

“Obviously he hasn’t had a great run with his body, that’s Hamish’s priority and he works extremely hard on it.

“One way they could help Hamish is to settle him down in one position and I think that should be across half-back, he’s got all the attributes to be a Heath Shaw type and his leadership is enormous back there.

Port Adelaide’s Hamish Hartlett at pre-season training at Grange. Picture: Sarah Reed

“If they can get 20 games out of him next year they’ll get a really good return.”

Hartlett’s determination to stay at Port Adelaide and prove he is worth the significant investment the Power made in him last year has been evident at pre-season training.

He was one of a handful of senior players including Jackson Trengove, Jasper Pittard and Robbie Gray, to start a week early with the 1-4 year players.

The whole squad is officially due back on Monday for a 3km time trial at uni loop.

Russell said footy operates in a “forgive and forget” environment and he has warned Hartlett against trying too hard to prove a point.

“That can’t work in the long-term,” Russell said.

“It might help him in the pre-season but you’ve got to occasionally look in the mirror and say ‘what just happened, is it my fault, the club’s fault and could I be better?’

“It’s getting consistency — you can look like a world beater one week and not get a kick for the next three and that’s the key to Port in general, he’s (Hartlett) not alone.”

In the past week Ollie Wines and Angus Monfries said the trade speculation that centred on both Hartlett and ruckman Matthew Lobbe would not impact their contribution to Port Adelaide’s fight to get back in finals.

“They’re the only names that came out in the media but I think everyone’s name was up in the air,” Wines said.

“To have those guys back is brilliant, we back them to the moon and we know what Harts and Lobbes are capable of at their best and we’re all looking to get to that best this year.”

Cornes, who retired in 2015 with the club’s games record of 300 and four best-and-fairests, echoed that sentiment.

“It’s a performance industry and everyone every year is on notice,” he said.

“The players would certainly understand that after a couple of disappointing years.

“Their best 22 is still up there with the good sides in the competition.”

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