Port Adelaide ruckman Ivan Soldo has hit out at his critics – most notably Energy nice Kane Cornes – in a stinging social media put up following weeks of hypothesis round his taking part in future.
Main into the 2024 AFL Commerce Interval, it was reported that the 28-year outdated was searching for a return to Melbourne, only one yr after being traded from Richmond to the Energy.
Among the many causes given had been a frustration with falling behind teammate Jordon Candy within the Energy’s ruck pecking order, in addition to struggles adjusting to life in Adelaide – with the latter additionally involving companion Chelsea Becirevic after the influencer claimed the ‘novelty’ of residing within the metropolis had shortly dissipated.
St Kilda’s transient curiosity in securing the ruckman vanished after conducting a medical with the membership, as a result of considerations over his knee.
Talking on 9’s Footy Furnace on Sunday evening, Cornes was scathing of Soldo’s conduct, claiming the Saints had ‘dodged a bullet’.
“They’d [the Power] need to be apprehensive about his character… he’s acquired to essentially have a look at the way in which he’s carried himself at Port Adelaide,” Cornes stated.
“There’s definitely questions whether or not he suits right into a crew setting at a soccer membership.
“He didn’t go to one of the best and fairest. He got here to Port Adelaide to be the primary ruckman, however he was outdated by Jordon Candy – so the minute it acquired a bit of too arduous, he needed out. And he needed out earlier than he had a vacation spot.
“He’s definitely one of many extra disappointing recruits Port Adelaide has ever had. I’d be apprehensive for his profession and the way in which he’s accepted again into the crew setting.”
Former nice Nathan Buckley was likewise scathing of Soldo’s resolution to not attend the Energy’s finest and fairest evening.
“That’s the fruits of the final 12 months of labor. Simply go. It is not sensible to not go,” he stated on SEN.
“You possibly can work your schedule round it. That’s one among a handful of days or events that you have to be there for the soccer membership.
“People and their sense of self price or they’re wounded in some form or one other, recover from it.”
Ivan Soldo competes with GWS ruckman Kieren Briggs. (Picture by Jason McCawley/AFL Pictures/through Getty Photos)
Nevertheless, in a put up to Instagram, Soldo has hit again on the criticisms, going so far as to call Cornes immediately, claiming the Energy had ‘absolutely supported’ his resolution to overlook one of the best and fairest night to attend a good friend’s marriage ceremony, at which he was one of the best man.
“I’m truthfully fed up with this ridiculous narrative that appears to not cease circulating,” he wrote.
“Let’s simply clear some issues up, the ONLY purpose I didn’t attend the PAFC finest and fairest was as a result of it was on the identical evening as my finest pals [sic] marriage ceremony, that I used to be one of the best man for. Through which the membership absolutely supported me to attend.
“If that displays badly on my character then Kane our values clearly don’t align.
“Regarding the commerce, this occurs yearly and it’s simply aside [sic] of the job. I’m nonetheless contracted with Port and haven’t any intentions of leaving.
“Additionally, the bullying and hate in direction of my companion additionally must cease, this backwards narrative is getting outdated.”
Chatting with AFL Commerce Radio on Wednesday morning, Port Adelaide head of soccer Chris Davies confirmed Soldo would virtually definitely be remaining at Alberton.
“I don’t actually know what occurred from St Kilda’s perspective – he requested to be traded there and did a medical,” Davies stated.
“What occurs to Ivan, who is aware of, however except one thing occurs right now, he comes again to Port Adelaide and fights for a ruck spot.”
In response on AFL Commerce Radio, Cornes admitted he could have been ‘too arduous’ on Soldo over lacking one of the best and fairest, saying he had a ‘legitimate purpose’.
Nevertheless, that didn’t cease him reasserting his staunch criticism of Soldo’s commerce request.
“I’ll put my hand up and say I acquired that half [missing the best and fairest] mistaken – however that was solely a part of my criticism over Ivan Soldo,” Cornes stated.
“Primarily it’s as a result of he breaks a contract at Richmond as a result of he wasn’t the primary ruckman, as a result of he thinks he’s going to be the primary ruckman at Port Adelaide, and a month or so into the season he shortly realises that somebody [Jordon Sweet] has outperformed him and turn out to be the primary ruckman.
“So on the finish of the season, after most likely not giving his all, I’d say… he walks into his exit assembly at Port Adelaide and says ‘I’m out, and I wish to break one other contract, and I wish to go to St Kilda’. That’s largely my criticism.
“Ivan in his assertion stated right now ‘Regarding the commerce this occurs yearly, and it’s simply part of the job. I’m nonetheless contracted with Port Adelaide and I’ve no intention of leaving’.
“The one purpose you’ve acquired no intention of leaving is as a result of the membership that you simply thought you had been leaving to doesn’t need you anymore!”
