HAMISH SURPLUS TO PORT REQUIREMENTS

PORT Adelaide leadership group member Hamish Hartlett says the club has not offered him a new contract because it does not feel he can keep up with the game’s demands.

Hartlett, 31, did not feature in the Power’s finals campaign after knee surgery and was told on Monday he would not be receiving a deal for 2022.

The defender said there was no bad blood with Port Adelaide but he believed he could still play at AFL level for the next two years.

He is prepared to move interstate and has begun discussing his next steps with his manager.

“I had a chat with (coach) Kenny (Hinkley) and (football manager) Chris Davies, and Kenny pretty much just said there won’t be a contract for you next season for a couple of reasons,” Hartlett told SEN SA.

“One, he doesn’t physically think that I can keep up with the demands of the game, particularly in the position I play at half-back against some players that are quite lively.

“Also, with the development of some of our younger guys coming through ... he doesn’t feel there’s a position on the list for me anymore.

“I didn’t necessarily agree with them but I can understand the angle that they are coming from.”