AFL
1 year ago
Ruckman rumoured to be “looking to get to a Victorian club” this off-season
By SEN
Port Adelaide ruckman Ivan Soldo could be set to figure in trade talks again this off-season according to SEN SA”s Michelangelo Rucci.
Soldo joined the Power last off-season after requesting a trade from Richmond - whom he played 57 games for including the 2019 premiership - but he featured just eight times for his new club in 2024 as he was ousted from the No. 1 ruck slot by Jordon Sweet.
SEN’s Sam Edmund previously reported that Soldo has a ‘level of disenchantment’ just one year into his stay at Alberton and Rucci believes he’s looking to return to Victoria and named St Kilda as a likely destination.
As some of Soldo’s disenchantment comes from not playing regular AFL footy, Rucci struggles to see how Soldo could possibly replace Rowan Marshall as the Saints’ main ruckman.
“While we’re talking about ruckman, there are rumours one could be on the move and people take an interest in this,” Rucci told SEN SA The Run Home.
“Ivan Soldo, who came over to Port Adelaide on a three-year contract from Richmond, the word is, he might be looking to get to a Victorian club.
“That club is perhaps St Kilda, and I’m not sure that gets him to number one on the pecking order.
“Rowan Marshall would have something to say about that.”
If the Saints are considering Soldo and he is willing to move to Moorabbin, perhaps the club will play two rucks more often than they did in 2024.
St Kilda were unwilling to play dual rucks last season with Marshall playing alongside Tom Campbell just twice in 2024, while Max Heath is yet to make his AFL debut.
