Port Adelaide to wait before making a decision on banned forward Angus Monfries

BANNED Port Adelaide forward Angus Monfries remains in football limbo without a guaranteed playing contract for next season.

Angus Monfries is out of contract at the end of the season. Picture: Sarah Reed

BANNED Port Adelaide forward Angus Monfries remains in football limbo without a guaranteed playing contract for next season.

Monfries, 29, is out of contract at season’s end and is continuing to train strongly in the hope Power re-signs him for another year.

Essendon’s suspended players have already been assured spots on its 2017 list, but the hard-working forward’s situation is different after crossing to Port Adelaide at the end of 2012.

Monfries will be 30 years old in January.

The Power signed Monfries without any knowledge of the Bombers’ crushing supplement scandal and were furious when Port’s request for a replacement player was rejected by the AFL.

While Monfries’ manager, Nigel Carmody, said the 210-gamer was optimistic about staying at the club, Port’s position could depend on its form and list assessment over the back half of the season.

Monfries is competing with Aaron Young and Jake Neade for a spot as a defensive forward as the Power attempt to rejoin the finals mix after a disappointing 2015.

Young, 23, has enjoyed a breakthrough season, kicking 21 goals in nine games this year, complicating Port’s decision.

Angus Monfries is hopeful Port Adelaide will offer his a new deal. Picture: Sarah Reed

Neade, 22, has been up and down in his fourth year.

Should Monfries not be offered another deal at Port, industry sources were confident the hard-running and clever goal kicker would find a new home elsewhere.

However, Essendon has ruled out taking the popular playmaker back next season.

Carmody, from Elite Sports Properties, said Port Adelaide had shown Monfries “tremendous support” during his time out of the game.

He said there was no rush on a contractual offer from Port.

“He (Monfries) is doing everything in his power to make sure he is ready (to play next season),” Carmody told the Herald Sun.

“It’s only Round 10. We are in constant dialogue (with Port) and we will continue to be. I’d imagine things are looking positive.”

Monfries’ teammate, Paddy Ryder, who also received a season-long ban over Essendon’s 2012 supplement program, has three years to run on his rich five-year contract.

Monfries returned from an overseas holiday one week ago and will consider more travel before his training ban ends later this year.

He has been training regularly and completed some boxing sessions with Ryder to maintain fitness.

Originally published as Port Adelaide to wait before making a decision on banned forward Angus Monfries