Backman Clurey to battle for place
CONTRACTED Port Adelaide defender Tom Clurey is set to back himself in to reclaim his place and not request a trade.
Clurey, who has two seasons to run on a back-ended deal, played only two games after round 9 this year after surgery for a broken jaw sustained against the Western Bulldogs.
Trent McKenzie replaced the 27-year-old and retained his place in the team, joining captain Tom Jonas and All-Australian Aliir Aliir as the Power’s first-choice tall backmen.
North Melbourne, St Kilda and Carlton are believed to have shown interest in Clurey without advancing discussions yet.
The Kangaroos’ inquiry followed Robbie Tarrant’s shock defection to Richmond, while the Blues have settled on Western Bulldog Lewis Young to shore up their key defensive stocks.
Young, who has struggled for senior opportunities, has requested a trade to Carlton.
Saints veterans Jake Carlisle and James Frawley retired after Dylan Roberton ended his career in March for health reasons.
But any potential suitors have baulked at the amount of money left on Clurey’s contract.
At 193cm, he averaged 2.5 intercept marks in his 11 matches this year, which took his career tally to 110.