Port Adelaide says it will only trade Dan Houston and Ivan Soldo for the right deal, confirms interest in Stuart Dew

Port Adelaide has issued a stern warning to suitors for Dan Houston and Ivan Soldo ahead of the trade period. Plus, could a former AFL coach be on his way to the Power?

Port Adelaide has warned potential suitors that it will only trade Dan Houston and Ivan Soldo if it gets what it thinks they are worth.

Houston and Soldo are both keen on moves to Victorian clubs, but the Power says it will hold them to their contracts unless it receives “reasonable” deals.

Port Adelaide’s busy off-season may also include the return of 2004 premiership wingman Stuart Dew, who the club is chasing to fill a coaching vacancy.

Power football boss Chris Davies confirmed the interest in the ex-Gold Coast coach while stressing his team held the cards on Houston and Soldo ahead of this month’s trade period.

“That doesn’t have to mean that we have to be nasty about it, but equally I don’t think there’s any reason for us right now to be doing a deal that we don’t think is fair for Port Adelaide, given both Ivan and Dan are contracted for decent periods,” Davies said.

Houston’s potential exit has been complicated by GWS free agents Isaac Cumming (Crows) and Harry Perryman (Collingwood) knocking back Port to join other clubs.

Dan Houston wants to be traded to Victoria. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Ivan Soldo has asked to be traded to St Kilda. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Davies would not reveal what the Power wanted in return for Houston, saying “the people involved know what our expectations are”.

He said Port’s preference had always been to keep the 27-year-old defender, who was contracted for another three seasons.

“We tried to bring in a couple of guys who might be able to do a job replacing him,” he said.

“That needs a period of reflection now to see what we’re going to do next.

“What I can be really clear about is Dan won’t be leaving for anything less than what we think he’s worth.”

While North Melbourne, Carlton and Collingwood had been linked to Houston, Soldo hoped to join St Kilda after just one season at Alberton.

Soldo was traded from Richmond 12 months ago when the Power gave up picks 41, 49, a future second-rounder tied to Fremantle and its own 2025 fourth-rounder in exchange for the 2019 premiership ruckman and pick 50.

The 28-year-old is contracted until the end of 2026.

The Power are interested in bringing former Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew to the club.

“If you see that deal getting done through the trade period, it’ll only be for a deal we think is reasonable for us given what we gave up for him last year,” Davies said.

Trading Houston or Soldo could help the Power improve its draft hand from a first pick at 36 and secure swingman Jack Lukosius from Gold Coast.

Davies expected key forward Ollie Lord to stay, even if Lukosius arrived, amid interest from clubs in his home state of Victoria.

Lord, 22, played just six AFL games this year due to injuries and form but was expected to get more opportunities with spearhead Charlie Dixon retiring.

Off the field, the Power approached Dew about returning to the club where he played 180 games and won a premiership from 1997-2006.

Dew was senior coach at the Suns from 2018 until his sacking last year, before being part of Brisbane’s premiership staff this season as a part-time skills coach.

The Power’s vacancy arose after not renewing midfield assistant Luke Kelly’s contract.

“Stuey is a person I’ve known for a long time and has a pretty storied career at Port Adelaide and has done a pretty good job as a coach,” Davies told AFL Trade Radio.

“We’ve got some interest in Stu but where that ends up, I guess we’ll work out over the next couple of weeks.”

Originally published as Port Adelaide says it will only trade Dan Houston and Ivan Soldo for the right deal, confirms interest in Stuart Dew