“We were always looking elsewhere”: Port Adelaide ruckman Ivan Soldo recalls the “interesting” Tigerland exit.
Richmond tried to keep the tall Tiger at Punt Road this offseason.
Ivan Soldo, a Port Adelaide recruit, has revealed why he intends to leave Punt Road for Alberton in the offseason.
Despite the Tigers’ preference to keep Soldo, a 2019 premiership player, a deal was eventually made last October.
The 27-year-old played 57 senior appearances for Richmond over nine seasons, mostly as a backup to captain Toby Nankervis.
Speaking on SEN radio, the ex-Richmond ruckman revealed the details that sparked his interstate departure.
“It was the decision my management and I decided would be the best move for me considering the circumstances I was under, and Port Adelaide were under,” Soldo told SEN.
“We decided that the move over would be the best thing for my career to hopefully get some success over here.”
Soldo mentioned Damien Hardwick’s surprise resignation as Richmond’s coach, as well as other end-of-year retirements, including Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt.
“It was an interesting point with Richmond, the head coach ‘Dimma’ (Damien Hardwick) had left and there were a few blokes retiring,” he said.
“Obviously, Richmond communicated during the trade period that they wanted to keep me, but with the discussions my manager and I had throughout the year, we were constantly looking elsewhere to see if another opportunity would come my way.
“In the end, this was the best decision for me. We made the decision; it took some time, but we got there.”
Fellow Power recruit and ruckman Jordon Sweet also moved to Alberton this off-season in search of more senior playing time, with Soldo admitting the pair’s comparable situation as second-stringers.
“Both of us at the clubs we were at before, unfortunately, we fell behind a preferred ruckman,” stated Soldo.
“I had Toby (Nankervis) in front of me; he was preferred, and he (Sweet) had Tim English (at the Bulldogs).
“So, we both know what it’s like, but we need to strive to improve each other, but it’s entirely up to Kenny and what kind of ruck he wants.
“We’re both quite competitive. We both want to play on the team. So, let’s see what occurs during the trial games.”
Port Adelaide will play preseason games against Adelaide and Fremantle before hosting West Coast in Round 1 on March 17.
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