Port Adelaide Power News

Kane Cornes says the AFL should extend the regular season at the expense of the NAB Cup.

"The NAB Cup's too long, four or five weeks, usually you play a couple of internal game as well, it does tend to drag on a lot," Cornes said.

"I think two pre-season games would be more than enough and then to extend the season would be great for everyone - TV, supporters and the players would love it too.

"It's certainly better than playing in a pre-season comp that not a lot of people care about."

Travis Boak says teammate Hamish Hartlett must learn to deal with taggers by just working harder.

"This is probably the first time Hamish has probably dealt with that heavy tag and heavy opposition coming at him," Boak said.

"Every good player goes through that – eventually that tagger will come. For him it's just all about working hard, just keep working hard and eventually it'll break."

The AFL has given permission for Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley to speak with his team via mobile phone during Saturday's clash against North Melbourne at Blundstone Arena.

The Power coach was admitted to hospital on Wednesday night after complaining of severe back pain. Hinkley received medical advice on Thursday, urging him not to travel to Hobart.

Stand-in coach Alan Richardson will take charge of the unbeaten side, with Hinkley remaining in Adelaide to recover from the virus.

Jasper Pittard is sidelined with a hip flexor injury.

"We've just got to be mindful that we know his history and I'm not going to rush him back to put him in jeopardy to miss a long period of time," Power coach Ken Hinkley said.

Hamish Hartlett says the loss of Jackson Trengove due to injury will be felt by the club but will also give Alipate Carlile the opportunity to step up as a leader.

"It's a pretty big blow for us down back, he brings a lot of leadership as well as being a great player," Hartlett said of Trengove.

"Alipate Carlile is playing some great footy at the moment so his leadership is going to have to step up a little bit which we expected anyway."

Jackson Trengove is set for an extended stint on the sidelines due to a foot injury.

"After an incident in the game we thought it was only a minor foot issue, but given that he was unable to continue playing we had it investigated and found a metatarsal fracture," high performance manager Darren Burgess said.

"He's having surgery today and we'll have more clarity on length of time he'll be out after that."

Kane Cornes has returned to some of the best form of his career and credits new coach Ken Hinkley for this.

"He challenged me more so than any coach has ever challenged me before in terms of improving my game and the way he wants me to play … he coming in has been the best thing that's happened to me for a while," Cornes said about Hinkley.

"The way he wanted me to use the ball was a little bit different, he wanted me to be pretty brave with the ball and hit some kicks where in the past I probably wouldn't have.

"He just wanted me to bring a bit more of an attacking flair to my game and I think it's been paying off."

Robbie Gray says he now has full confidence in his reconstructed knee after getting through his comeback on the weekend against Gold Coast.

"I didn't think about [the knee] too much when I was out there – I played in the SANFL for five weeks before that so I feel really confident in the knee," Gray said.

"I'll have ongoing rehab to complete…but I don't think about it when I'm out on the park playing or training - I'm back 100 per cent now so [I'm] just looking forward to getting my fitness up and hopefully contributing."

Playing in his second year, Chad Wingard's class and skill has become evident after four games into the 2013 season.

"I'm finding it (consistency) easier this year, I think it comes with experience and a bit of confidence, so hopefully I can keep it up and as a team we can keep improving week by week," Wingard said.

Wingard credits new Power coach Ken Hinkley for helping him elevate his game to the next level.

"Kenny has been really honest with me. He doesn't pump your tyres up too much and tells you how it is," he said.

"And Ken has helped me with my growth as a player and a person so I couldn't ask for much more."

Hamish Hartlett says he is relishing the Power's improved form this year, particularly their depth in the midfield.

"The last two weeks in particular I've had a little bit of attention which has been great, it gives us the ability to free up guys like 'Boaky' (Boak) and Brad (Ebert) and other guys that run through the midfield," Hartlett said.

"If we can have a multitude of guys that are playing really well through the midfield, it makes it difficult to try and shut us all down. If they come to me, I've got no worries with that, Boaky will have a great influence and vice versa."

Port Adelaide have started the season with 3 wins on the trot under coach Ken Hinkley and Gold Coast Sun Jarrod Harbrow says he isn't surprised after Hinkley served as an assistant coach at the Suns last year.

"They've jumped out of the blocks firing, they're in good form, the players are happy and they look like they understand what Kenny wants and expects of them," Harbrow said.

"He's definitely brought an element to the club that's working. They look strong and are super competitive"

Power coach Ken Hinkley has compared first-year player and emerging star Ollie Wines to Geelong superstar Joel Selwood.

"I was lucky enough to be at Geelong in 2007 when there was a young bloke coming in there that was pretty hard and is now captain of the club," Hinkley said.

"You know they're a bit rare, but Ollie works hard, he does his job, he's a first-year player who knows what he's got to do and he goes about doing it."

Justin Westhoff says coach Ken Hinkley's 'no favourites' policy is working for the Power.

"Ken has come in and Alan Richardson as well, with no excuses, everyone's playing on their own merit and [there's no] difference between a first-game guy and a 200-game guy," Westhoff said.

"There's no difference to how they're treated and that's probably something we've struggled with in the past … everyone's jumped on board.

"They've just brought in a no-holds-barred attitude, which I think we needed."

Young stars Brad Crouch and Ollie Wines look likely to face off against each other in the first showdown of 2013 between the Crows and the Power.

"A lot of our young guys look up to 'Crouchy' and the way he's been going about his footy and I've got no doubt the Port Adelaide young guys would be the same with Ollie Wines," Crows captain Nathan van Berlo said.

"They set a great example and they certainly do bring energy to the group when they come on game day…we've seen the way Ollie Wines attacks the footy, and Crouchy's fearless as well."

The Power honour former departed teammate John McCarthy with a 56-point win over GWS.

Port Adelaide's first home game of 2013 against GWS will be used as a tribute to the departed John McCarthy.

Brad Ebert says their former teammate is still dearly missed.

"I've thought about him every game. On the weekend we had the black armbands for him and this week again the game will be to honour him," Ebert said.

"There are obviously times when you get down, but you've got to try and remember the good times you had with him because he was a top fella and one of my best mates."

After a turbulent five years in the system, Heath Campbell expresses satisfaction at being part of the Power's 79-point win against the Demons in round one of 2013.

"It was amazing. I've been delisted, a couple of knee 'recos', it's been a bit of a rollercoaster career so far," he said.

"It's great to be back playing in such a great club with all these guys. Hopefully there are a few more wins to come."

Oliver Wines has grabbed 2013's first NAB AFL Rising Star nomination after a 24 disposals (16 contested), 7 marks and a goal in Port Adelaide's 79-point win over Melbourne.

"Ollie's nomination is a great reward for the effort he has put in over the whole pre-season since arriving at Alberton after the draft," Power coach Ken Hinkley said.

"He moved over from Victoria, applied himself magnificently and displayed professionalism and maturity across every training session.

"Ollie immediately won the respect of his teammates with the way he applied himself and I know they'll all be delighted for him as well.

"The football public got to see his great strength in winning contested football and his effort of sixteen contested possessions was outstanding, especially for a young player on debut."

Power rookie Kane Mitchell has been upgraded to the club's senior list to cover for the injured Nick Salter and says he hopes to make the most of his opportunities as they become available.

"There's no guarantees [to play], and there's no guarantees that I'll stay on the senior list with Nick on the mend already," Mitchell said.

"I completely understand what position I'm in and I just take every training session as it comes, as an opportunity to improve, and as long as I'm on the senior list I've got a chance to play."

Port Adelaide sign four key players in Alipate Carlile, Jackson Trengove, John Butcher and Andrew Moore.

"With all four of these talented young players committing to the club together, it's just a great show of faith in what we're trying to do and where we're heading," coach Ken Hinkley said.

"Each one of them in their own way brings something special to the group. Jacko (Trengove) is a strong voice and a really solid person, Bobby (Carlile) loves to help people as is evidenced by the multicultural work he does outside the club and Moorey (Moore) and Butch (Butcher) are just great people to have around the footy club."

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has declared Robbie Gray ready for an AFL return after his recovery from a horror knee injury.

"Robbie's ready, there's no doubt that Robbie's absolutely ready to go at AFL level,'' Hinkley said.

"He had 24 or 25 possessions (against Glenelg) and kicked three goals but the main thing is that Robbie looks really confident.''

Fresh from signing a new deal with the Power, John Butcher says he is fit and ready to go whenever the side needs him.

"I felt like I had a really solid six weeks post Christmas throughout February…the hips have so far pulled up well from everything and each step we've taken they've coped really well," Butcher said.

"The first three years probably haven't quite been what I've wanted and I haven't been able to get out on the track as much as I need to, but hopefully, touch wood, the next three will be a whole lot better.

"When I do get out there, whether it's this week or not, I'm pretty confident in the body and ready to go."

Oliver Wines' hard-nosed attitude to playing and training has impressed the coaching staff at Port Adelaide.

"There was a session where Ollie was cramping up and everything was happening but he just kept pushing through it," Power assistant coach Josh Carr said.

"I think it's a true sign of the character he's got and a true reflection of what he wants achieve in his football as well.

"He's still obviously got a long way to go, but definitely when he's out on the field he does lead … I think it's outstanding."

After recovering from hip surgery, John Butcher will play his first game for 2013 this Saturday in a trial game against Sydney.

"The important thing for him was to get a little bit of a taste (of football) and give himself a chance to be available for round one. This is his only opportunity to play against AFL standard," Power coach Ken Hinkley said.

"He's really excited, obviously he's had a long lay off and he's been back training and playing footy for a little while, so now it's a matter of stepping him up to the next level and what a great opportunity against the Swans."

Dual Claremont premiership player and impressive Port Adelaide rookie-list utility Kane Mitchell is eyeing a round one start after forward and teammate Nick Salter is placed on the long-term injury list.

"It's unfortunate that 'Salts' is on the long-term injury list but it presents an opportunity for one of our four rookies to get elevated,'' said mature-age rookie Mitchell, 23.

"I feel bad for Salts because every time he's on the track he trains the house down but he's very, very unlucky with injuries.

"I want to play AFL - being on a senior list has been a goal of mine - but I've just got to make sure I continue to work hard and we'll see what happens.''

Domenic Cassissi says he had to battle a serious virus which kept him out of training for a month during the Christmas break.

"I went home from training because I was a bit feverish and then all of a sudden I got these really bad headaches," he recalled.

"They would last for about half an hour and then clear and then come back again, so I was pretty much bedridden.

"I was waiting for the headaches to go away but they just wouldn't. In bright light the pain became so unbearable I would almost pass out and become incoherent."

Power recruit Angus Monfries will miss a week or two after straining a hamstring against Adelaide in the NAB Cup.

"We think he's got a little grade one hamstring - I'm not into keeping secrets, so I think that's what it is," Power coach Ken Hinkley said.

"[It'll] put him out for a couple of weeks, but it's that time of the year when he's done absolutely every session of pre-season - we weren't going to play him in the next game anyhow."

As he recovers from a knee reconstruction, Robbie Gray is elevated into the Power's leadership group for the first time in 2013, joining Hamish Hartlett, Jay Schulz, Jackson Trengove, vice-captain Brad Ebert and skipper Travis Boak.

"When you can't help the guys out on the field you want to maybe help out some of the younger guys and that's something I tried to do a bit last year obviously not being able to play," Gray said.

"Nothing will really change for me though, I'm still focusing on getting my body right and being back and just helping the team improving this year."

Power recruit Angus Monfries' former club, Essendon, is embroiled in a doping scandal but remains largely unaffected by the controversy at his new club.

"For Angus it hasn't been such a big deal, I mean he's been away from Melbourne, I understand it's a big story and it is a very big story, but the fact is he's here with us now," Power coach Ken Hinkley said.

"He knows he's done everything right and he's OK and he's just moving on and playing footy as he showed tonight."

Ex-Port Adelaide captain Warren Tredrea says he was offered banned substances during his career by an individual outside club.

"I was offered performance enhancing drugs by someone exterior to the football club," Tredrea said.

"But I went and got it tested and came back with three illegal drugs in it."

An arrest warrant is issued for Liam Jurrah after he fails to appear at a court hearing in Adelaide.

Jurrah's AFL career appears over despite Port Adelaide's best attempts to help the troubled forward.

"Port Adelaide has offered extensive support in an attempt to assist Liam, but unfortunately it appears that complex circumstances in his life away from football have prevented him from making the commitment required by the club," a statement from Port Adelaide said.

"Port Adelaide has been genuine in its desire to help and has attempted to maintain dialogue with Liam over recent months, but it is clear that he now needs to focus entirely on the matters he is dealing with in his personal life.

"The club wishes Liam well and will continue to offer what support it can, but it believes playing football cannot be a primary consideration at this time."

Magpie Brent Macaffer to wear No. 3 as a tribute to his close friend John McCarthy who died while on an end of season trip with Port Adelaide teammates in Las Vegas in September 2012.

"Just before Christmas, obviously with J-Mac passing and him wearing the number three, it was the last number he wore before he left, he was a really close mate of mine," Macaffer said.

"Before I got to ask Bucks, he called me up and actually asked if I wanted to take that number. It was a nice gesture of him as well, I suppose, to think of me and to do that.

"I straight away said 'yeah, absolutely I'd love to do that,' and to wear the number and sort of represent him on behalf of the boys.

"That was the number he wore last, so I feel really humbled and privileged to do that."

Travis Boak is named captain of Port Adelaide for 2013, swapping his No. 10 jumper for the Power's traditional No. 1.

"It's a great honour to be captain of this great club and have the opportunity to play a role that so many outstanding players have filled in the past," Boak said.

"To be a captain of this club is something I'll cherish forever and to take over from Dom has been great … I can't thank him enough for what he's done for me and what he's done for this club."

Port confirms it is re-thinking its position in regards to Liam Jurrah following the forward's high-level drink driving charge and apparent lack of commitment to the Port Adelaide Magpies.

"The club has been waiting on a commitment from Liam in relation to training and playing with Port Adelaide (Magpies) in the SANFL and working in the club's community department," a statement from the Power read.

"The club is disappointed with Liam's alleged driving offence but before making a decision on his future, the club needs time to assess all the information regarding Liam's situation."

Cameron Hitchcock will undergo surgery due to soreness in his foot stemming from plantar fascia.

"He managed training on Monday but is still sore and we've planned to have him undergo surgery," Port Adelaide football operations manager Peter Rohde said.

"He won't run for two weeks and will resume full training after about four. We think it's likely he'll be available for the opening week of the NAB Cup."

Alipate Carlile admits consistency has been an issue for him over the last few years.

"Trying to get that consistency back in my game [is] one of my main goals. [I'm] wanting to help the back six settle and get as much improvement as we can next year and try to get some wins on the board," he said.

After missing out on being drafted at the national draft, Sam Colquhoun is officially an AFL player after being selected by Port Adelaide in the pre-season draft.

"(There's) a bit of relief after the disappointment in November, but it's a good feeling I suppose not having to go out hunting for a full-time job," Colquhoun said.

"I grew up supporting the Power and the Port Adelaide Football Club have been awesome with the opportunity they've given me, so I want to take that opportunity and keep developing as a player."

Port Adelaide has announced a number of tributes to honour the late John McCarthy, including retiring his number 35 guernsey for the 2013 seaso.

"We have a considered a great number of suggestions – including many from our supporters - before committing to what the club and John's family feel are fitting and meaningful tributes to a much-loved and admired friend and footballer," Port Adelaide CEO Keith Thomas said.

"John's family has made it clear, most significantly at his funeral, that they want his teammates to play with John's spirit and his love of life more than be driven by his memory or their grief at his loss.

"They want everyone to share that attitude and we thank and admire them immensely for that, and are grateful that they have endorsed our proposed tributes."

Ollie Wines says he will not walk away from Port Adelaide in a bid to return home in the future, saying he is at Port for the long haul.

"I'm over the moon to be picked up by Port Adelaide and I'm not thinking about moving away at all," Wines said.

"I was brought up in the country… and I just learnt to be tough and that's how I developed to play my football.

"This is my club and I'm going to try and find a career here and try and make a successful AFL career playing for the Port Adelaide Football Club."

Port Adelaide ruckman Matthew Lobbe hopes for a solid pre-season after being restricted by injuries over the last couple of years.

My running has always been something I've tried to use as an advantage but I probably haven't used it as well as I would have liked over the last couple of years," Lobbe said.

"The key for me is getting the majority of the next couple of months in and then carry that through to the season with a good headspace, especially for me after coming off the last few seasons where I didn't get a full pre-season."

Gold Coast's Taylor Hine and Port Adelaide's Ben Jacobs have nominated for the draft, but contentious Crow Kurt Tippett hasn't as he faces charges that he breached AFL player rules.

New Power coach Ken Hinkley fails to guarantee that Dom Cassisi will remain captain of Port Adelaide next year.

"It's like every pre-season with every AFL club ... you have the existing captain and Dom's that, as we sit here now, and we'll go through pre-season and we'll make those decisions in February/March," Hinkley said.

"I think every player gets an opportunity to show that they've got some leadership over the pre-season and we look forward to seeing who all those players are."

New recruit David Rodan has a simple remedy for Melbourne's woes - run, and take on the game more.

"Run with the ball, take it forward and drive it in deep," Rodan said.

"I enjoy that type of role where I can work one on one but also on the training track. Obviously I've played a few more years than some of the guys here, so hopefully I can pass on some stuff."

Ben Jacobs is set to quit Port Adelaide and nominate for the national draft where it is understood North Melbourne have made a commitment to select him.

"We've spoken to his management a couple of times but until we hear officially of what he wants to do then I guess we're still holding some hope that he will decide to stay," Power football manager Peter Rohde said.

"Now that we're back (from Europe) we'll follow it up but it's fair to say we're not overly confident he will be here next year."

Young Power defender Andrew Moore says Port Adelaide players continue to receive counselling as they struggle to deal with John McCarthy's death.

"A lot of players are still struggling to come to terms with it," Moore said.

"Every one of us is dealing with his loss differently and some have been affected more than others.

"He was extremely close to everyone here, so it's been a really difficult time for us."

Brad Ebert pays tribute to best mate John McCarthy after kicking the match-winner for Port Adelaide in London by kissing the black tape on his arm and looking to the skies to salute his former teammate.

There are a lot of emotions going through the last few months and obviously Dani, John's girlfriend, was here tonight and over the last year we have got on really well," Ebert said.

"He was my best mate and so it was great to be able to kick that goal and even though it was only an exhibition match, it was really nice to be able to do that.

"I had to give it a bit, just give him a salute."

The Power remain interested in troubled forward Liam Jurrah and Port Adelaide forward John Butcher is excited by the prospect of playing alongside him.

"[He's] one of the most exciting players in the AFL," Butcher said.

"It'd be great to have him running around in the forward line alongside you.

"But obviously that's up to the club, I think 'Kenny's' (Ken Hinkley) pretty keen to see him train or have a look at him, obviously interview him and meet with him again."

Ken Hinkley says Ben Jacobs will be welcomed back to the club if he decides to stay at Port Adelaide.

"We've got to work through that with Benny and we'd love nothing more for him to come back and be a part of the Port Adelaide Football Club, but his reasons for going home were family-based reasons so I don't think that'll change," Hinkley said.

"He's got to come to terms with that and then understand whether he can make the decision to come back and be a part of Port because we'd welcome him back really easily."

Port Adelaide hopes Ben Jacobs will stay, after the Power failed to agree to a deal with North Melbourne.

"We'll be speaking with Benny in the days to come to try to convince him to stay and if he chooses to nominate for the draft, we'll consider picking him," Power football manager Peter Rohde said.

"Ben is a player we rate very highly and we consistently said that pick 38 and 56 wouldn't get the deal done.

"We wouldn't have used those picks in the draft so we would have effectively been giving Ben away for nothing. We were after something that would have improved our draft position from pick 30."

David Rodan is traded to Melbourne and says he is excited at the prospect of being a Demon.

"I'm extremely excited to get another opportunity," he said.

"Melbourne Football Club has obviously shown a lot of faith, I just can't wait to start training and be a part of it."

Officials in Las Vegas have declared John McCarthy's tragic death in September an accident.

"The Coroner's Office has determined that Mr McCarthy died on September 9, 2012 (at) 6.16am, from multiple injuries due to a fall from height from a roof," a statement from the Clark County Coroner and Medical Examiner's office in Nevada said.

"The manner of death has been ruled accidental."

Richmond hasn't ruled out bringing back former player David Rodan .

"I definitely wouldn't mind [returning to Richmond]," Rodan said.

"I obviously played five years [there] and didn't get to my best football.

"If it came about it'd probably be nice to get back and show the club and the fans I've developed a fair bit and show them that I've improved a bit."

Former Port veteran Jacob Surjan is selling himself to new clubs as a player capable of shutting down the best small forwards in the AFL.

"There's not too many guys who can play on the dangerous small forwards in the League … like Eddie Betts, Cyril Rioli, Mark LaCras, Stephen Milne," Surjan said.

"Obviously it'll be a very nervous 24 hours, but if it doesn't happen there'll definitely be other opportunities."

Port Adelaide has told small forward Cameron Hitchcock he is a part of the Power's future under new coach Ken Hinkley.

"Port have said they're keen for Cameron to play on, which he's really rapt about," Hitchcock's manager Greg Size.

"He's happy at Port and excited he'll now get the chance to play under Ken Hinkley."

Former Port midfielder Steven Salopek is hopeful that he will find another club before the Free Agency deadline on Friday.

I haven't actually met with anyone, I'm not sure what to think about that. It doesn't really faze me. I've got my objective and my goal just to obviously get myself into as best condition as I possibly can," Salopek said.

"It's been intriguing, although it's been pretty nerve wracking. It's also been pretty exciting because it is the unknown. Hopefully we can find somewhere."

Dumped David Rodan says there has been interest from a number of clubs, including former team Richmond.

"There has been a bit of talk, but it's still very early and we've still got a few days, another week, until we finish up talks," Rodan said.

"But the great thing is I've obviously got a few clubs hopefully wanting me to get on their lists."

Dumped Port Adelaide midfielder David Rodan says he is confident he still has more to offer as he searches for a new home.

"I just turned 29 last week and I still feel I've got a fair bit to offer and [I'm] hungry to play at the level," Rodan told SEN radio.

"Hopefully in the next few weeks I can find a new home and help them out."

David Rodan and Jacob Surjan among seven delistings announced by Port on Friday.

The seven delistees also include Simon Phillips, Mitch Banner and rookies Daniel Webb, Mitch Curnow and Jarrad Irons.

"David embraced his new opportunity from the outset and is a player who won't be forgotten by Port Adelaide supporters who admire his flair as a midfielder and willingness to take on opponents and attack the game," Power football operations manager Peter Rohde said.

"He's popular within the club as well and is respected for his work ethic, ability to overcome serious injuries, his personality and what he does off the field to promote football in our multicultural community."

Out-of-contract Power defender Ben Jacobs says he wants to return home to Melbourne.

"He's a Melbourne boy and he's asked us to explore options for him among the Victorian clubs," football manager Peter Rohde said.

"Having said that, we consider him a required player at Port Adelaide and I know that he has enjoyed his time with us and appreciated the opportunities and development we have provided him."

Port Adelaide says it's time for unsettled defender Ben Jacobs to decide where his future lies.

"We're getting to the stage where we need to know exactly what Ben wants to do," Power football operations manager Peter Rohde said.

"There's been a lot of discussion and speculation about him but the bottom line is that he still hasn't told the club where he wants to play his football next season."

David Rodan's manager Liam Pickering says his client could look for a move if he isn't in Port Adelaide's new coach Ken Hinkley's plans.

"If Ken Hinkley comes out and says, 'there's no way I'm going to let this bloke go because I really rate him', he'd be happy to stay at Port Adelaide," Pickering said.

"But if he says, 'the opportunities are going to be limited, maybe it's best to move on,' we'll move on."

Richmond recruit Troy Chaplin says the club is on the verge of playing finals.

"The 'go-home' factor was a key to it, but their list is in a fantastic position at the moment … with the guys that they've brought in and added to their list … [and] their younger guys as well," Chaplin said.

"Trent Cotchin is going to be a superstar of the competition, we all know that, but they are starting to add some depth now and are on the cusp of playing finals."

Port Adelaide confirm the signing of Gold Coast assistant Ken Hinkley as their new senior coach - putting an end to a 62 day process.

Troy Chaplin has joined Richmond after Port Adelaide declined to match the Tigers' free agency offer.

"Troy needed serious knee surgery towards the end of 2012 and while we hope he has many years of football left, we're not prepared to commit to the extent Richmond is," football manager Peter Rohde said.

"We would have liked Troy to remain at Alberton, but on terms suitable to the Port Adelaide Football Club as well as the player.

"In fact, we had what we considered a fair contract in front of Troy and his management for a long period this year, but unfortunately they were unwilling to sign."

Port Adelaide football operations manager says the club was not prepared to match Fremantle's offer to Danyle Pearce.

"To match the offer Fremantle had put up was really not an option for us," Rohde said.

"We think the offer that they've given him is very generous."

Pearce says he is excited at the new opportunity to play for the Dockers.

"I would like to thank all at the Port Adelaide Football Club, especially my teammates whom I have shared the past eight years with," Pearce said in a statement.

"I would also like to thank Ross Lyon and the Fremantle Football Club for the opportunity they have presented to me and look forward to the next chapter in my football career."

Power football operations manager Peter Rohde says David Rodan's future at the club hinges on the appointment of a new coach.

"It's fair to say [Rodan] had a pretty disappointing end to the season," Rohde said.

"We won't make a decision on him, and probably three or four others, until we appoint the coach and the coach has some input in to those sorts of decisions."

Port Adelaide confirms Danyle Pearce is clear to sign a contract with Fremantle after deciding not to match the Dockers' offer.

"We have taken time to think about the situation and have resolved that it would be irresponsible in the context of our team structure at Port Adelaide to match the offer put forward by Fremantle," Port football manager Peter Rohde said in a statement.

"Danyle has made a strong contribution during his eight years at Port Adelaide and we wish him well with his new opportunity in the AFL."

Richmond has offered a contract to Port Adelaide defender Troy Chaplin who is a restricted free agent.

Fremantle has made a bid for Port Adelaide midfielder Danyle Pearce in the first formal offer under free agency rules.

"The Fremantle Football Club has today lodged documentation with the AFL for Port Adelaide restricted free agent Danyle Pearce to join the club," the statement read.

"The club will not be making any further comment until the free agency process is completed."

Livewire David Rodan considers a move back to Victoria after playing just 10 games for Port Adelaide in 2012.

St Kilda star Brendon Goddard heads the list of six restricted free agents released by the AFL which also includes Essendon's Angus Monfries, Melbourne's Brent Moloney, Port Adelaide duo Danyle Pearce and Troy Chaplin and Richmond's Luke McGuane.

Port Adelaide are in danger of losing prized 2010 first-round draft pick Ben Jacobs with the defender eyeing a move home to Melbourne.

"He's not sure what he wants to do but obviously we are very keen to keep him at our club," Power football operations manager Peter Rohde said.

Forgotten midfielder Steven Salopek quits Port Adelaide to explore free agency with three clubs said to be interested in his services.

"Sal wasn't getting any opportunities at Port so he wants to test the (free agency) market," Salopek's manager Bruce Kaider said.

"He believes he still has two to three years of good AFL football left in him and can contribute strongly with another club, so we're going to see what's available for him."

Port Adelaide club great Warren Tredrea says Brett Ratten withdrew from running to be the Power's next head coach due to a lack of interest from the club.

"My understanding is he (Ratten) did a presentation that may not have been so impressive,'' Tredrea said.

"So he is sitting there thinking 'well, I'm getting out of the race before I'm seen as sorry, you're not good enough'."

Brett Ratten pulls out of the race to be the Power's next head coach as Gold Coast confirms that they have approached both Matthew Primus and Brett Ratten to fill a role at the Suns as senior assistant coach.

"We are committed to expanding our coaching panel for the 2013 season," a Suns' spokesman said.

"Matthew and Brett both have senior coaching experience and we believe have a significant amount to offer our club should we be in a position to secure either of them."

Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas confirms Ratten's decision to withdraw his interest in becoming the Power's next senior coach.

"We respect Brett's decision,'' said Thomas.

"We are comfortable with Brett's decision as we work through the field to find the best candidate.''

The Magpies overcome an emotional week following the death of former teammate John McCarthy to defeat the Eagles in a qualifying final at the MCG.

"I'm not sure how many clubs have been through what we have this week," suspended Magpie skipper Nick Maxwell said after the game.

"A lot of guys around that age haven't had to deal with a loss like that before.

"There's no manual to deal with things like this. I'm just so proud of the way they handled this and went about it and also the club as well. We spent a lot of time talking about how to prepare for the game and also to go through the process that is still continuing now."

Brett Ratten says he is keen on the Port Adelaide head coaching job.

"I've spoken to Craig Bradley a lot about Port Adelaide and he's one that's been there and has a lot of contact or an interest at that football club," Ratten told 3AW radio.

"I spoke to him really about the mechanics of the club and things like that. It would be really exciting to take on someone like Port Adelaide and be involved in that football club."

Dom Cassisi says John McCarthy had become a strong part of the Port family as soon as he joined the club.

"John was just a ripping guy, I haven't seen anyone come into our club and just fit in with the boys from day one (like he did)," Cassisi said.

"Dani (Smarrelli) moved over in the new year and she built some really strong relationships with the girls, so they really became a strong part of the Port Adelaide family really quickly.

"It's been a really, really tough emotional time, not only for us, but obviously his family and everyone involved."

Flamingo Hotel staff have no answers as to why the door that led to the roof was open to John McCarthy prior to his death.

It is believed the door was then locked behind McCarthy leaving the disoriented and drunk Power midfielder to believe his only exit was to leap to a palm tree and climb to safety.

Port Adelaide players who were on holiday with John McCarthy question whether they could have prevented his death.

The players, including Brett Ebert, Travis Boak and Hamish Hartlett, were receiving grief counseling.

"I don't want the impression out there that these lads just left one of their mates to roam around," Power CEO Keith Thomas said.

"As soon as they became aware (he was on his own), they made contact with him ... Unfortunately an accident happened."

A teammate of John McCarthy spoke by phone to the midfielder shortly before he fell to his death after being contacted by McCarthy's girlfriend, Dani Smarrelli, who was concerned about him.

McCarthy had earlier contacted Smarrelli and had sounded disorientated.

"She was concerned enough to make contact with one of our other players and to try and get him back into the group," Power CEO Keith Thomas said.

"That player made contact with John, and he was given every indication that he was OK and that he was on his way back."

Police in Las Vegas believe John McCarthy's death was accidental and are working on a theory he fell from a palm tree after making his way to the roof of a casino.

"He then walked to the edge," Victoria Police officer Stuart Bailey said.

"The evidence is suggesting that he's jumped off that wall to a palm tree, maybe been disorientated at how much the fall was, slipped and has fallen to the ground."

The AFLPA remembers Port Adelaide's John McCarthy at its annual awards night after his shock death.

"The outpouring of tributes for John from players across the League reminded us that AFL players are a community, as well as colleagues and tonight is a night when we bring that community together," chief executive Matt Finnis said.

"Tonight will be a sad night and a tough night, particularly for those who played with and against John.

"But it is a night where we support each other and where the strength and loyalty of all the AFL players will shine through."

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says players are dealing with their grief over John McCarthy's death 'as best they can'.

"I think anyone's who's a brother or a son or has a close mate … if you can imagine that they're not sitting beside you any longer, that's what some of our boys are feeling," Buckley said.

"We've got some guys who were really close to John. His time at the club is still fondly remembered and it's just a tragedy for his family and friends to be going through what they're going through."

Brett Ratten will meet with Port Adelaide next week to see if he would be a good fit for the vacant head coaching role.

"I'm keen to have a talk and see what's going on at the football club and maybe put a plan in place," Ratten told SEN radio.

"It goes both ways. It can't be me saying 'I want to do this' and them saying something else. We have to be on the same page before we even get down that path."

Power CEO Keith Thomas says John McCarthy was a popular player who had embraced his new club after moving over from the Magpies.

"John was a very popular Port Adelaide player and had embraced the club as we had embraced him," Thomas said.

"There were tears (when the players and staff were informed of his death), he's a popular young fella.

"It's devastating news … he's a fantastic young fella, well liked … it's so disappointing on a football front, but more on a personal front."

More than 20 Essendon players have cancelled a trip to Las Vegas in the wake of John McCarthy's death.

"They decided out of respect to the McCarthy family that they wouldn't go as a group to Las Vegas," an Essendon spokesperson said.

"Obviously the club, players and everyone involved send their deepest condolences to the McCarthy family and the Port Adelaide Football Club."

The AFL express their condolences to the family of Port Adelaide star John McCarthy, who tragically died in Las Vegas.

"This is a terrible tragedy for John's loved ones and our deepest sympathies go out to them," AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said in a statement.

"It is a very sad day for the Port Adelaide Football Club and the rest of the AFL industry to lose a young man in the prime of his life."

The Port Adelaide Football Club confirms the tragic death of player John McCarthy who fell from a balcony in Las Vegas during an end of season trip with teammates.

"The club was informed by US authorities in Las Vegas this morning that John had died as a result of injuries sustained in a fall from a building. The circumstances of the tragedy are still being investigated," a statement from the club read.

"Port Adelaide extends its deepest sympathies to John's family, girlfriend and team mates, and is providing whatever support necessary to help them through this tragedy."

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire says John McCarthy's death has been met with devastation.

"For his teammates at Collingwood today it was utter devastation when the news filtered through from Las Vegas of the death of one of our great players … and a great friend of the club," McGuire said.

"[He had] sparkly eyes, great spirit, great love for his friends, great love for his club and love for the sport."

Port Adelaide midfielder Kane Cornes takes out his fourth club best and fairest.

"I was really happy with my year, I knew I had a consistent year, [but] certainly I thought Brad (Ebert) was the outstanding player," Cornes said.

"I was pretty much finished at this time last year so it just goes to show you can do anything if you set your mind to it … to the 40-odd players in the room, if you want to play 200 games, if you want to play for 10 years or if you want to in a premiership then you can do it, but it's not easy and it takes hard work."

Port Adelaide has announced it has held onto Travis Boak after the midfielder signed a contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2014 in a deal reportedly worth about $1.3 million over two years.

"I'm so relieved to have got the deal done after what has at times been a challenging year for me personally and for the club," Boak said on the club's website.

"The big decision I had to make was whether to return home to be closer to my family (in Victoria) or stay at the club I love. I've been in regular contact with my mum and sisters about my future and they've been unbelievably supportive with the decision that I've made."

The Power's interim coach Garry Hocking says he will not seek the permanent job, preferring to remain in an assistant's role.

"I said I would use the four weeks as an opportunity to build on my experience as a coach," Hocking said.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the players and I think they have enjoyed the subtle changes I was able to make along the way to how we prepared and the competitive way in which we played.

"The past four weeks have confirmed my passion for coaching at this level, but I believe I will further develop under a new senior coach who will bring fresh ideas and leadership from outside the club."

Port Adelaide captain Dom Cassisi is confident the Power are just days away from securing Travis Boak.

"I think it's looking pretty promising from what I hear," Cassisi said.

"His leadership around the place, his professionalism, the way he trains, you can't really put a value on all the stuff he does away from game day so it'll be huge for the club."

Garry Hocking says he's undecided about applying for Port's vacant coaching role for next year.

"I just said to the players after the game I was proud to coach this group, the opportunity given to me by [Port CEO] Keith Thomas and [president] Brett Duncanson and [football manager] Peter Rohde was terrific," Hocking said.

"Being able to coach the group over the last four weeks and see their spirit and character was really pleasing.

"That's all I really want to take out of this experience. It was not to go and throw my hat in the ring. It was just to try and get the group playing a really strong competitive brand of footy, playing together and trying to get a win for them."

Port Adelaide resigns four of its young players including Jasper Pittard, Cameron O'Shea, Jarrad Redden and Aaron Young.

"Adelaide's a great place to live, there's more sun than Melbourne and less traffic, but the main part is sticking together … and getting games together with the young group so that in the next few years we can be a really competitive side," Young said.

We are pretty tight off the field and spend a lot of time with each other, so it's definitely a big factor in all of us re-signing," O'Shea added.

Port Adelaide caretaker Garry Hocking says he is willing to work under a new coach at Alberton as Power's search widens to include recently sacked Carlton coach Brett Ratten.

"I love the club," Hocking said.

"It's a great place to work and if the opportunity is there to continue in some role ... even just a development role, I'd still be excited about being involved in the club."

Power youngster Chad Wingard says Jay Schulz is a shining example of the courage needed to play AFL football.

"On-field and off-field, he's a great bloke, he's a competitor, that's all I can say -he's a great competitor and he just wants to make people better and that's why we've got him at this club and that's why he'll be around for a long time," Wingard said of Schulz.

Chad Wingard earns a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination after 27 disposals in a loss to the Lions.

"I think I've improved as a person and as a footballer. The coaches and the group have been great," Wingard said of his year.

"They've really put their time into me and helped me work on what I've needed to work on, things like the spread from stoppages and just mentally as well. All the credit goes to them."

Port Adelaide football operations manager Peter Rohde remains confident that Travis Boak will stay at the club and says talks are ongoing with Boak's manager.

"We've filled him in with the coaching and some other things that we've got planned moving forward and he's happy with where it is all at and has indicated he still wants to stay here," Rohde said.

"We haven't exactly nailed down the contract yet but we're sure we'll have it done shortly. We're as confident as we can be (that Boak will stay at Alberton) without having his signature."

Interim Port Adelaide coach Garry Hocking says Power players are on notice and must impress in the next two weeks.

"Right at the start of the year you've got players who might be right at the end of their careers or you've got some new kids on the block who want to prove a point," Hocking said.

"At round 21, 22 in regards to round one, I don't see any difference.

"All our group's on notice, the new coach coming in, whoever that may be, will be able to sit back and have a look at our list and decide on and our players get an opportunity to really do something in the next couple of weeks about their career or their form."

John Worsfold says Scott Burns has all the qualities to become a senior coach as contenders line up for the vacant Port Adelaide role.

"Just look up leadership in the dictionary and copy it out," Worsfold said.

"He's honest, he's got integrity, he's a good leader. Scott will be, I think, a very good senior coach when he feels he's ready to take that role on."

Travis Boak has reignited speculation over his future with the Power with a cheeky shot at his adopted state.

In the round 21 edition of the official AFL magazine, Boak said "the airport" was the place he'd recommend visiting when in South Australia.

"I think it's just Travis trying to have a bit of fun … I can't see much in it," Power interim coach Garry Hocking said.

Travis Boak's manager Tom Petroro says his client has not committed to any timeline for making a decision on his future.

"I'm not going to be committed to a timeline," Petroro said.

"It's been reported during the week that I'm in discussions with Port Adelaide and that's where it's at."

Boak was a late withdrawal against the Eagles but Petroro says this has nothing to do with ongoing contract negotiations.

Out-of-contract midfielder Travis Boak meets with Power heavyweights in an attempt to gauge the club's future.

The 24-year old and his manager Tom Petroro met with club CEO Keith Thomas and footy manager Peter Rohde, in a bid to determine which direction the club would take after its sacking of Matthew Primus as coach.

Port Adelaide coach Garry Hocking believes Travis Boak will remain with the Power rather than return home to a Victorian club.

"From what I've seen over the year, he's 100 per cent behind the playing group," Hocking told SEN's Morning Glory program.

"Even over the last few weeks, when things have got a bit tougher, he's certainly dug in as a player.

"He's been here early for training. His voice and direction out on the track and during games has been outstanding.

"I'm really getting the feeling that he could stay."

Port midfielder Hamish Hartlett to miss the next two games after the AFL Tribunal finds him guilty of striking Hawk Cyril Rioli in an off-the-ball incident.

Terry Wallace says he's prepared to be Port Adelaide's "fall guy", setting Power up for a novice working side-by-side at the club.

"I would not bother to pick up the phone unless they are looking at something like that - it would be a waste of time," Wallace said.

"I'd be paid to take the bullets - I have no issue with that. But I would only do it if I was there as the mentor for someone who becomes the club's long-term coach."

Port Adelaide defender Troy Chaplin will not play again this season after opting for surgery on an injured knee.

"[With] the opportunity to have a rest the previous week, we found that he really was refreshed and recovered and ready to play," Power interim coach Garry Hocking said.

"Unfortunately from the game, you've probably seen in the second half that he deteriorated … he needs to now go into surgery."

Hawthorn star forward Cyril Rioli is expected to be sidelined for a few weeks with a shoulder injury after a physical clash with Port Adelaide's Hamish Hartlett.

Hartlett faces a week on the sidelines after being offered a one-match suspension for the off-the-ball strike on Rioli.

"We will be in better position to determine a timeline for Cyril's return when the injury site has settled and he resumes training," Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans said.

"Cyril will progress over the next few weeks as function in his shoulder allows."

Forward Justin Westhoff says Garry Hocking is the perfect man to lead Port Adelaide into the future.

"It's an easy transition for him, he hasn't changed too much (from what he was doing prior to Primus' departure)," Westhoff said.

"All the guys love him, he speaks his mind, he's pretty honest and I think a lot of guys need that at the moment.

"He pretty much coaches the way he played, tough. As I said before he's honest with everyone and he doesn't cop anything from anyone."

Dom Cassisi says he is prepared to stand aside as Port Adelaide captain if it is the best thing for the club.

"All I want is to see this football club win games of footy, if that means that a new captain is in line to get the wheel in motion for that, then that's what it takes," Cassisi said.

"I'm more than happy to take the role on again next year and likewise I'm more than happy to support someone else to the best of my ability if it is someone else.

"The paramount thing for this club is to get back on track."

Terry Wallace admits he'd be interested in taking over the coaching gig at Port Adelaide following Matthew Primus' departure.

"I think what that club needs to do is have a senior person there to take some of the heat early, get things structurally set up right, and have their next coach (developing)," Wallace said.

"Then you're setting it up for a 10-year period. That type of role, yeah I'd be interested."

Interim Port Adelaide coach Garry Hocking says he will know in four weeks if he wants the job permanently.

"At the end of four weeks I might either think that it's wonderful and see you guys [the media] a bit more regularly, or possibly, look it's not up for me," Hocking said.

Geelong coach Chris Scott says the Cats have received no new information on Travis Boak's intentions in the wake of Matthew Primus' resignation despite media reports of Boak leaning towards his club.

"I would be staggered if they know more than we do, and I can categorically tell you that I am no better informed today than I was last week," Scott said.

"People shouldn't make stuff up."

Rodney Eade refuses to say no to at least talking to Port Adelaide about its vacant coaching position.

"You've still got that desire because that's what you enjoy … education and teaching, obviously the cut and thrust. You do enjoy that," Eade said.

"But the fact I've had 14 years of it, I must admit I don't think about it that much. I'm very happy in what I'm doing but I suppose I'll preface that by saying never say never."

After a humiliating loss to GWS, Matthew Primus is replaced as Port Adelaide coach by Garry Hocking, with president Brett Duncanson to stand down.

"I was given the offer to coach the next four games but I don't think I'd have the passion or the substance to coach the playing group, so therefore I'll finish up now," Primus said.

"The club has given me a huge amount as a player, a captain and as a coach of this great football club.

"I'll maintain this club is on an exciting journey full of promise and there's a group of players here that are willing to be good players and want to be a lot better than what they are now, and although I won't be here to grow with them on that journey until they are a very good team, there's going to be some enormous challenges.

"If they stick fat there's going to be some exciting times for them.

"It was a dream come true to coach this team … I wanted to coach this team for another 10 years if I could."

Matthew Primus' departure throws the future of out-of-contract Port star Travis Boak into new doubt.

"I think any significant change requires thought," Power CEO Keith Thomas said.

"I would like to think that Boaky would understand the decision, he would understand the motivation behind those decisions; he has a love for the football club, but in the end it will be his call."

Matthew Primus' tenure as coach of Port Adelaide is reported to be over following an embarrassing loss to GWS.

"I've said all year we've improved, now that sounds hollow," Primus said after the game.

"And it makes you feel sick saying that. The group have come along in leaps and bounds since last year, but today just wipes all that out."

Assistant coach Shaun Rehn is reported to have been appointed by the club to take over as interim coach of the Power.

Troy Chaplin requires knee surgery but Power coach Matthew Primus denies the defender's season is over.

"He's been battling since the middle of the year just doing half our main training session and that's all he's doing a week," Primus said.

"We think Troy's still going to play a vital role for us, not only this year but in the coming years, but we'll see how goes ... it's definitely getting sorer every week. The closer the end of the season comes, the closer it'll come for having surgery for him."

Port Adelaide has rejected a report that Richmond has offered defender Troy Chaplin a four-year deal.

"All the discussions that we've ever had with Troy is that he hasn't spoken to anybody, his manager hasn't spoken to any other club, so we'll take Troy on that word and keep working with him," Power coach Matthew Primus said.

"He plays an important part for us for the rest of the year and we see him as somebody that's going to be a part of our football club. He's telling us the exact same thing from his point of view."

Port's Andrew Moore is starting to show the football world why he was the Power's top draft pick in the 2009 national draft.

"My first couple of years have been a bit up and down and to play a full season, so far, it's a big sigh of relief," Moore said.

"I'm feeling really good, recovering after games, my body's pulling up really well and I haven't felt like this for many years.

"I'm still on top of all my rehab, I do that a couple of times a week and if I don't stay on top of it I'll go back to where I was a couple of years ago."

Port Adelaide skipper Domenic Cassisi has hinted that Travis Boak could replace him as captain in 2013.

"I obviously love the captaincy but I'm not naďve enough to think I'm going to have it forever," Cassisi told The West Australian.

"The club reassesses [the captaincy] every year and it will be no different leading into 2013. The great thing is we've got some really good leaders coming through and obviously 'Boaky' is one."

Port Adelaide's Tom Logan says Kurt Tippett is the only one who will know when he is right to play after the Crow forward sustained 3 concussions in just 5 weeks.

"Head knocks are always dangerous and he probably knows more than anyone how he feels and if he should play or not," Logan said.

"There's been times in my career when I've probably copped bigger knocks and felt OK…and other times I've copped a knock that's not as big and ruled myself out.

"He'll go out during the week at training and see how he feels and I think that's more important."

Paul Stewart has refuted reports that Travis Boak has told his teammates he is staying at the club.

"I've got no idea, me and Boaky, we're real good mates, but off the field we just try and stay clear from it," Stewart said.

"He keeps to himself Boaky…but I'm confident that [judging by] the way he's been around the club and his leadership over the last couple of weeks I can see his future being at Port Adelaide."

Power defender Jasper Pittard will be in hospital for a few days after suffering a fractured rib and partially collapsed lung from a collision with teammate Chad Wingard.

Jasper Pittard sustains an injury after an on-field collision with teammate Chad Wingard but earns praise from Power coach Matthew Primus.

"I think he's got a little fracture of his rib and a little bit of bleeding in the lungs at the moment so they'll just keep him under observation and make sure it doesn't bleed too much," Primus said.

"We'll probably miss him for a couple of weeks but the courage to keep his eye on the ball was terrific for his first game back in."

Geelong president Colin Carter has defended the visit to Adelaide by key Cats figures to speak to Travis Boak.

"I don't think that's a crime and it certainly wasn't our intention. There is no way we intended disrespect to anyone, least of all to Port Adelaide," Carter said.

"The publicity was unhelpful to them and it was to us as well and we didn't intend it that way."

North Melbourne chairman James Brayshaw confirms that his club, like Geelong, also met with Port star Travis Boak to express their interest in the midfielder.

"As I understand, Travis and his manager, they only wanted to speak to two clubs, Geelong being one of them and North Melbourne being the other," Brayshaw said.

"My view is that interstate players, if they indicate that they are going to return home, then on behalf of your supporters and members, then you'd be negligent not to look at someone like Travis given all the credentials he has."

Matthew Primus says the Cats could have been more discreet in their pursuit of Travis Boak but admits they did nothing wrong.

"It goes on, every club is talking to players and all those sorts of things," Primus said.

"The way it was done and the way they came into town…could have been a bit more discreet.

"Clubs are certainly going to well aware that you're going to be talking to certain players, especially with the free agency coming in."

Travis Boak says he's been "stitched up" by teammates after Brett Ebert claimed a new love interest could keep him at Port Adelaide.

"I'm single, very much single," Boak told Adelaide's Nova 91.9.

"I've been stitched up by the boys. It's been a big stitch up - and embarrassing.

"Ebo (Brett Ebert) did it in the press conference (on Monday) and (Troy) Chappy (Chaplin) did it on Twitter. And now a few of the boys here (at the club) are getting stuck into me. It's a stitch up."

Geelong coach Chris Scott says Port Adelaide's push for Travis Boak to quickly decide his AFL future prompted Geelong's weekend trip to Adelaide to speak to the Power midfielder.

"It would be a slightly different situation if Travis and Port Adelaide said, 'we're not going to talk about it until the end of the year,'" Scott said.

"Then we would respect that and wait until the end of the year as well. But he's being pushed to make a decision, so he needs to understand all the options."

Paul Stewart re-signs with the Power for two years and says he expects teammate Travis Boak to do the same.

"I'm confident he'll stay, we're good mates and I'd be pretty upset if he left," Stewart said.

"Me, Robbie Gray and Cam O'Shea and him formed a real good bond so I think that plays a big role in it. Also his relationship with the coaches … he gets along with every single one of the coaches.

"Hopefully he makes his decision soon and puts the club at ease."

Geelong coach Chris Scott says the Cats did nothing inappropriate in talking with Port Adelaide star Travis Boak.

"Travis is considering coming home to be closer to his family, and it's important that he understands that there's a spot for him here at Geelong if he chooses to come home," Scott said.

"We didn't advertise the fact that we were talking to him, but it's no secret either. We gave him the facts as we see them, and I think he's really clear now about where he sits.

"Port Adelaide are pushing him to make a decision and we respect that, so it was important that he knew where we were coming from."

Geelong coach Chris Scott is confident the Cats can make a deal with Port Adelaide if Travis Boak decides to return to Victoria.

"We're presenting a case for Travis to come home, be closer to his family, and play with what we think is a pretty good footy club," Scott said.

"We're not trying to steal him for nothing. If Travis decides to come, then we'll deal in good faith with Port Adelaide and present them with a deal that both clubs think is fair."

Loyalty to club and teammates - and maybe a love interest - will keep Travis Boak at Port Adelaide, Brett Ebert says.

"Trav's got family over in Geelong and he's got a few ties over there but he's, I think, our most important player so we really want him here," Ebert said.

"He's got some great mates here and everyone loves him at the club, guys like Robbie Gray and Paul Stewart, his housemates, they're really close with him.

"He actually met a girl here as well, he's sort of been seeing her for a bit. I'm not really sure (if she's officially his 'girlfriend'), he keeps it pretty close to his chest but he loves Adelaide … I think he's going to stay, definitely."

Port Adelaide has slammed Geelong's decision to meet Power star Travis Boak, calling it 'disrespectful'.

"We respect the Geelong Football Club very much, but if Matthew Primus, Domenic Cassisi and Travis Boak were to bowl into Geelong to meet with Joel Selwood, I am sure Brian Cook, his players and supporters would feel more than a little disrespected," Power CEO Keith Thomas said in a club statement.

"Subtle conversations are one thing, but arriving with shiny buttons and a brass band is quite a different matter."

Geelong is reported to have sent a contingent including coach Chris Scott, skipper Joel Selwood and midfielder Jimmy Bartel to Adelaide to meet Travis Boak.

Darren Pfeiffer says his past two delistings while at the Crows and Carlton have driven him in his career at Port Adelaide.

"I think it's a good thing to do, keep the past in your mind and you know you won't be as big of a chance to make the same mistake again," he said.

"Everyone's motivation goes up and down, but when I can see it plateauing or even going downwards, I like to go back to [those thoughts] and it pretty quickly snaps me back into gear."

Young midfielder Matthew Broadbent has signed a new deal with the Power.

"It's not hard at all, I've grown up loving this club so I'm very happy and very excited to be a part of the future," Broadbent said.

"I'm very grateful to the club for giving me the opportunity."

Jackson Trengove says he and fellow Power teammates have interrogated Travis Boak over dinner about his intentions for the future.

"We went hammer and tong at him last night with what was going on," Trengove said

"We wanted to know a little bit as well, where he sat, just for our comfort. We were up front with him last night and he was back upfront with us too … we're very happy with where he's at."

Travis Boak says Port's poor form will have nothing to do with his decision to either stay or ask for a trade.

"I just want to play footy, get out there, help the group and get some wins and try and push for a few wins towards the end of the year," Boak said.

"I'll make my decision when I'm ready. I'll continue to talk with my family and the club and when I'm ready I'll make my decision."

Port coach Matthew Primus is open to the idea of appointing a director of coaching.

"If the right person became available we'd certainly look at it," Primus said.

"You always want to try and see what's the best fit and what you think you need and what best fits the way you want to play the game and the way you want to coach."

It has been a long and injured road for Matthew Lobbe, but the Port ruckman says he has learnt from the frustration of being on the sidelines.

"It was most frustrating in the first couple of weeks, knowing it'd be a while to come back," Lobbe said.

"As soon as that's over then you work out what you can do to get back as quick as possible and be effective.

"Anyone that's had long-term injuries tell you that you do learn a lot off the field about parts of your game that you need to get back into form straight away.

"For me it was about getting my competitiveness and hunt for the ball stuff straight away."

Now a Port Adelaide assistant coach, Josh Carr recalls the day 10 years ago when the Showdown rivalry with Adelaide spilled over at the Ramsgate Hotel between himself and Mark Ricciuto.

"We had been drinking ... things did get out of control a bit. We went outside and we had a bit of a chat and that chat turned into bigger things," Carr said.

"Between myself and Roo, it was probably more a bit of a wrestle than anything ... there was actually no punches thrown."

Port's Danyle Pearce says there's more to Will Minson's sledge than was reported in the media.

"I've read the reports that everyone's been writing; you guys haven't written down everything that was said," Pearce said.

"I've read a report, it had half of what was said written down and in the report it was left at that was the only thing and that's not true, it's not the case."

Matthew Broadbent says he has improved his leadership abilities this season and will need to be put them to use against Geelong with the Power having its entire leadership group out injured.

"I think I've stepped that side of my game up," he said.

"It probably comes with having a little bit more confidence and a bit more experience, but I feel more comfortable leading the group.

"Coming into my fourth year now, I've played enough games to take a bit more (responsibility) upon myself."

The media reports that Melbourne have made a serious play for Travis Boak, hoping to trump Geelong's offer to the Port Adelaide midfielder should he decide to leave the Power.

Port Adelaide forward Jay Schulz has been released from hospital after suffering internal bleeding following the Western Bulldogs clash.

"He's just been released from hospital and he'll spend the next four or five days recovering, but he'll be monitored by medical staff every day," Power football operations manager Peter Rohde said.

"He's stopped bleeding but he's still got some blood internally in his abdomen so it'll be a matter of when that dissolves.

"Once that's all cleared up he'll start training again and then he'll play a week or two after that."

Power coach Matthew Primus says he doesn't want Travis Boak's indecision about his playing future to drag on, and that the club wants and needs him.

"He knows where I sit - we want him here and we need him here," he said.

"He's going to play an important part of our future so he's well aware of that.

"We want to give him his time to do that, but we also don't want to allow it to drag on for another 10 or 12 weeks."

MCG security confiscated a banner protesting Lance Franklin's association with a controversial clothing line during the Hawks' match against Brisbane.

A member of lobby group Collective Shout unveiled a sign reading "Give porn tees the boot Buddy."

"If you want to support your team, and bring along material to do that, that's fine, that's what a football match should be, but it's not for any other use beyond that," AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said.

Port Adelaide has lost key players Hamish Hartlett and Jackson Trengove for at least a month with a hamstring tear and injured finger respectively.

"He's played every game this year and hasn't had a soft tissue injury for a couple of years, so it was just one of those things that happen in footy," Port's head fitness coach Cam Falloon said about Hartlett's injury.

"He's had a good attitude to recovery in the past so I've got no doubt he'll be back."

Cats coach Chris Scott says if Travis Boak wants to join the club, he shouldn't expect top dollar.

"We will not overpay players," he said.

"If a player comes into the Geelong footy club from another club in the AFL, they've got to fit within our pay structure.

"If anyone thinks they can come in here and get top dollar, and come in over the top of our really good players, then they probably should look elsewhere."

A repentant Will Minson has issued an unreserved apology to Port Adelaide's Danyle Pearce over his offensive slur.

"The last 24 hours have been an extremely stressful period for myself and, no doubt, unnecessarily stressful for Danyle Pearce and his family and the Port Adelaide Football Club, and I have absolutely no intention of putting anyone through that sort of stress or attention ever again," he said.

"I've certainly learnt from this experience."

Power midfielder Danyle Pearce says Will Minson's comments about his mother could not and will not be tolerated.

"The important thing for me is that Will understands that this is not a minor matter that can be brushed under the carpet," Pearce said.

"It is a very big thing and insulting a player's family is just not acceptable. He needs to know there is a line that you shouldn't even contemplate crossing.

"Will has apologised, but I don't need that to move on. His actions from here will mean far more than words."

Sharrod Wellingham says Will Minson should have known better than to sledge Danyle Pearce's mother after being forced to apologise to Kane Cornes in 2008.

There's going to be some sledging and there's going to be some stuff said that maybe you don't really want to say," Wellingham said.

"It can become quite blurry those lines, but he's (Minson) experienced it in the past and I think that he probably should have learned his lesson. It's just got to come down to respect between players."

The Western Bulldogs have suspended ruckman Will Minson for one match over offensive comments to Port Adelaide midfielder Danyle Pearce.

"The club has the highest of expectations when it comes to players' behaviour both on and off the field," Bulldogs CEO Simon Garlick said.

"While Will is genuinely remorseful for his actions the club will not tolerate the use of inappropriate and offensive comments, especially in regards to women."

Matthew Primus has thrown his support behind Danyle Pearce who has made a complaint against a comment made by Will Minson directed at Pearce's mother which the AFL will investigate.

"He was really upset, I suppose we got to see during the game. He was pretty angry during the game and after the game he was angry," Primus said.

"It does take courage, you don't do these things lightly, and Daniel certainly felt pretty aggrieved by it all. We fully support him, and I applaud him for standing up for what he believed in."

Power forward Jay Schulz has spent the night in intensive care after suffering internal bleeding following a knock against the Bulldogs.

The AFL is investigating an incident in which Bulldog Will Minson allegedly made an offensive comment about Danyle Pearce's mother.

"Things happen on the footy field but there's times when you go a little bit too far and I guess that's one of those situations," Pearce's teammate Brad Ebert said.

"You always look at family, race and religion as three of the big things that you stay clear of, and I guess that's just happened."

Alipate Carlile is dropped for the Power's round 12 game against the Bulldogs after failing the club's fitness standards.

"There's standards we wanted to be set and he hasn't quite reached them," Primus said.


"We know he's got to play on the best players and that's hard, but to be able to stay out there for long periods of time [is essential] and he hasn't been quite able to do that. Therefore he's cost himself his position this week."

Out-of-contract Port Adelaide star Travis Boak heads home to Melbourne to discuss his future with his family.

"We'll sit down with him at some stage over the next month or so and see where it's at," Power coach Matthew Primus said.

"We want to get this discussed soon, but if that's three days, four days, two days, two weeks, whatever it is… these things will take some time."

Dr Peter Larkins says Aaron Sandilands will likely play with decreased power when he returns from his second turf toe injury.

"The complication risks are that he ends up with less power and strength with ongoing soreness from scar tissue," Larkins said.

"Even though I hear reports that he says that it's fine on the left side, it is normal that an athlete would lose a bit of power and strength if they don't have it repaired.

"If he ends up with the same result on the right side it means he won't have one good foot, which could potentially affect his playing capacity."

Travis Boak's manager Tom Petroro confirms there is heavy interest in the Port Adelaide midfielder from Victorian clubs but will not reveal which clubs he has spoken to.

"Trav's an outstanding young midfielder, and there's a lot of interest in him," Petroro said.

"I'm not going to comment on who I'm talking to and who I'm not talking to."

Brendan McCartney has revealed Port Adelaide's decision not to award him their coaching job in 2010 propelled him to become an AFL coach.

"It probably lit the fire a little," he said.

"I was happily into development, and that's where I was going to go with the Cats, almost to the point where we'd set it all up to go that way.

"If anything it probably made me more determined, because the feedback I received (from Port Adelaide) was I didn't get the job but I came across reasonably well and presented reasonably well. I thought, 'Well, let's hang in there and see what happens.'"

Port Adelaide midfielder Travis Boak may undergo surgery for a foot complaint, sidelining him for up to a month.

"Travis has had this foot problem on and off since the lead up to round one and in the last couple of weeks it has given him a lot of trouble," Port Adelaide general manager of football Peter Rohde said.

"He hasn't been able to train for two weeks and he's had to have pain killers to be able to play against Gold Coast and Carlton.

"Sometimes these injuries heal naturally but with his foot getting sorer in all sorts of spots we elected to have surgery."

On the eve of his 50th game, Jackson Trengove says the tough initiation into a struggling Port team bodes well for the future.

"Coming over here and obviously we haven't had as much success as we'd like, [it] makes things difficult [for a young player]," Trengove said.

"Most clubs go through tough times and we're working our way through a tough time at the moment. We've still got a long way to go and a lot of work to do, but you can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel."

Matthew Primus says Travis Boak will return to Melbourne to discuss his future with his family and decide if he wants to remain at Port Adelaide within three weeks.

"I think every footy club would love to know earlier rather than later where they sit with player contracts and coach contracts and all those sorts of things," Primus said.

"Travis has put a timeline on it and obviously after those three weeks, I think it is, when he goes home, we'll decide then. We'll certainly be asking him where his decision's at, we don't want it to drag on until the end of the year."

Port Adelaide football manager Peter Rohde says the switch of SANFL clubs, from Glenelg to Port Adelaide, by Steven Salopek highlights the difficulties the Power face without a reserves side.

"We fully understand that the SANFL clubs have their own agendas that they need to work to and sometimes they're slightly different to ours," Rohde said.

"We've had these issues before and it does highlight the issues we've got with the system. It's frustrating for everyone involved, but it's not a huge revelation."

Carlton coach Brett Ratten says his club would pursue Travis Boak if the Port Adelaide midfielder elects to come home to Victoria.

"If he was prepared to come home, we'd be very interested to have a chat with his management," Ratten said.

"That's something that (Carlton's football operations manager) Andrew McKay will chase behind the scenes."

SANFL club Glenelg agree to transfer Steven Salopek to the Port Adelaide Magpies after the Power midfielder struggled for opportunities at senior level with the Tigers.

Travis Boak admits his family will have a big say in whether he stays at Port Adelaide.

"[The speed in which a deal is reached] will all depend on how everything goes back home and talking to my family," he said.

"It's probably more about how they're feeling about things - are we still all good just talking on the phone and things like that ... are they coming over enough?"

Jake Carlile is the 2012 round 9 NAB Rising Star nominee. Carlile credits Bombers coach James Hird who was instrumental in transforming him from a forward into a reliable defender.

"When he first came here, I was a year into my career and I was a forward so he told me they wanted to try me in defence," Carlisle said.

"He's been big on me playing more of a part in the team and building me up to be more of a man. When I got here he thought I was a little kid so I've grown up and matured a bit."

Matthew Primus says claims a falling out with Travis Boak's manager has stalled a new deal for the midfielder are false.

I don't know his manager," Primus said.

"I met him two days ago in Peter Rohde's office and had a great discussion with him about his players, but that's the first I've heard about it.

"I spoke to him about his players, he's saying they're feeling great here at the club, they're enjoying it."

Damien Hardwick says he deserved to be fined for making abusive comments towards an emergency umpire.

"It wasn't one of my finer moments," Hardwick said.

"With the state of the game, I got a bit carried away. I overstepped the mark. I regretted it straight away.

"I spoke to the emergency umpire Michael yesterday. He was a ripper fella. He likened me to a young John McEnroe, which is probably not a great look.

"They're such important people in the game. I told Michael I understood that and he accepted my apology."

Brent Renouf defends out-of-form teammate John Butcher, backing the big forward to return to form soon.

"When he's running and jumping into packs and clunking marks we'll back him in to do that all day, so he'll have a good week on the track and he'll fight back this weekend," Renouf said.

"I don't think anything was wrong, it was just the way it happened."