RUCKMAN Ivan Soldo arrived at Port Adelaide during the 2023 Trade Period following 57 games and a premiership with Richmond. 

The 204-centimetre big man has had an interrupted pre-season at Alberton after undergoing finger surgery in December, but has now begun integrating back into full training. 

Soldo spoke to the Adelaide media on Wednesday about the move, the decision to leave the Tigers, and how the competition is heating up for the number one ruck spot. 

Soldo on how he is settling in at Port Adelaide 
“Really quickly and really nicely. Coming from Melbourne, although I was a Canberra boy at heart, this feels a lot like Canberra to me, so it feels like home. 

“Going off last year I think Port Adelaide’s looking really good. That's probably what drew me here mostly as well was the opportunity to play some more finals in the future.” 

Soldo on how the trade happened 
“It sort of happened at the back end of the year, definitely in the last couple of weeks. Once Richmond knew that we weren't playing finals, the conversation started on what my future would look like. And my management and myself decided that probably the move to another club would be best for opportunity. 

“I had a great conversation with Kenny and we'd lost some coaches back at Richmond and I just really wanted that fresh start and the conversation started with my management, he was really close with the team here, and the conversation just kept progressing and he got to a point where both sides were really happy and my decision was Port Adelaide. 

“I was in Melbourne when (the trade) happened. I wasn't really sure (it would happen) because both sides weren't really happy and I was still contracted with Richmond. But they both came to an understanding and the decision to get traded and both sides were happier so that's the main thing. The club's in a really good spot now I think.” 

Soldo on his initial conversations with Ken Hinkley 
“We only got to speak on the phone and over zoom, I prefer face to face, but it's good to just get a get a hold of what he's like and watching on TV, he seems like a really passionate coach and I was really excited to play for him. The conversations were always positive as well and he had a lot of faith in what I had to bring to the team, so that's what made me confident.” 

Soldo on leaving Richmond 
“It was definitely a tough decision after 10 years at a club – it’s the only club I’ve ever really played for – coming from being a category B rookie. It was always going to be a tough decision. (With) the Melbourne bubble and the Melbourne footy vibe, it’s definitely refreshing to walk away from that and to step into a new state and a new club is a nice feeling.” 

Soldo on first cousin Ivan Maric 
“Well he played a lot of footy here for the Maggies actually so Alberton Oval’s a bit of a home for him. And he loves the club as well, he loved to talk up the club (to me). Wherever I went, I would always play my best footy but he just wanted me to be happy.” 

Soldo on the number on ruck spot 
“That spot’s always going to be up for grabs. It's a long season, longevity is important and we've got a great team here to make sure we get the best opportunities to play every week. That's Kenny’s choice really so if he wants me to play, Jordon to play, Dante to play, maybe he'll choose for us to play together as well. It's probably a look he's going to have to explore but we're trying really hard now so the best player (takes the spot).” 

“I think that's important to have healthy competition. Jordon, I understand his situation as well coming from the Bulldogs, he might have been a bit frustrated (there) and South Australia’s home so this was always going to be an attractive move for him too. So with Port Adelaide having old rucks (depart), it was probably a conversation that was always going to happen, like we have some more slots to fill. The competition for a spot is always outside noise but internally we just want to play the best team every week. So whether it be Jordon, myself or even Dante, it's going to be a conversation Ken's going to have with the coaching staff.” 

“With Nank (Richmond ruckman Toby Nankervis) and I, we always pushed each other to be the best players we could be. So there was always healthy competition, which is something that I want to happen here as well. We’ve got great coaches as well to make sure we're the best players every day. So we're all going to improve, we're all going to get better and then eventually the best team will play Round 1.” 

Soldo on his own strengths 
“It's interesting hearing people's opinion about my strengths, because I just go out there and play footy. I love playing, it's a competitive sport. I'm very competitive. So my strengths, they just come out. I don't really know. I’ll let you guys decide that. 

“Coming here, I'm just really appreciative of the fitness staff and the way they approach my history, my age and stuff. They're really conservative with their approach to me and it’s given me a lot of confidence with my footy.” 

Soldo on his finger surgery 
“Ruckman fingers, that’s always the narrative, they're always bung. So we actually got to the point where I need some surgery at season's end. And then there are some complications with the fusion of the finger, so they had to re-operate on it and I'm finally coming out of that pink hat phase (non-contact), we call here, where you’re being introduced back into skills. So now that I'm back in, I'm seeing the surgeon this afternoon and hopefully from there, I’m all thumbs up and ready to go.” 

“It’s just wear and tear. One jar turns into another jar…unfortunately, there's a lot of key backs who punch you in the back of your hand when you’re trying to mark it. So eventually, something's got to give. You can only manage it for so long. That's why I needed surgery. So the re-operation was something that wasn’t expected but it's what the medical team decided needed to happen. So once that happened, I'm really confident with how the next part of my footy is looking.”

Soldo on Mitch Georgiades integrating back into training 
“Yeah, I was unaware of the exact situation (previously) and since coming to the club, I understand that he's finally coming back into the into the footy stuff, which is nice to see. I’ve done rehab myself, I've done an ACL so I know what he's going through and it's good to see him with a smile on his face out on the track, because it can be a bit lonely around the outside so it's good to see him back.” 

Soldo on what he knew about Port Adelaide 
“Not much to be honest. I only ever played against Port, I never really had much to do with them. Richo’s (CEO Matthew Richardson) taken me through a few things about the history of the club, which is nice to hear, and I can't wait to learn some more.” 

Soldo on Port Adelaide’s midfield 
“I think I've always been very fortunate to play with some great midfielders back at Richmond. And then coming to another club, we’ve got great mids around me that are very experienced, very talented and are looking like they're going to play some really good footy for us for another 10 years. So I can't wait to work with them. 

“From what I've seen, the confidence that Buttsy (Zak Butters) has and Rozee (Connor Rozee) has is so good to see. And Horne-Francis is only 20 years old so he's going to develop into a quality player into his late 20s. So I'm just excited to see what they can do and how they can progress.”