Ivan Soldo is free to continue his outstanding play at Port Adelaide after brushing off concerns about an injury.
IMPLUENTIAL Ivan Soldo, a Port Adelaide ruck recruit, has dismissed concerns about his fitness and declared himself a lock to start against Collingwood.
As Port gets ready to take on the reigning premiers at the MCG on Saturday, Soldo did not finish training on Wednesday.
The former Richmond ruck received a knock and a black eye during Port’s last-night three-point victory over Fremantle.
“The game over the weekend was quite difficult,” Soldo remarked on Wednesday.
“And I copped a knock, so I was just to the side (at training) which is nice, a bit of a break for me which is good.”
After just five games at Alberton, Soldo’s hiring is paying off handsomely for Port.
After trailing Tigers captain Toby Nankervis, Soldo was awarded the No. 1 ruck position. He is now averaging almost a career-high 31 hitouts and 11.4 disposals per game.
“There’s definitely parts of my game I always want to get better at,” he stated.
It’s difficult not to feel so confident as you leave the track with the boys, though, because the team is performing so well and controlling the game when it matters most.
“It’s encouraging to have the coaches’ support, and the mids have been a huge help to me.
“I had a great time at Richmond, but coming in here with fresh eyes and a lot of faith in the coaching as well has been great.”
Soldo’s early influence has come at the same time that Port’s highly regarded young on-ball team is starting to turn things around, winning four out of five games.
Along with the returning Ollie Wines, a Brownlow medallist, and a developing Jason Horne-Francis, the new captain Connor Rozee and vice-captain Zak Butters are making an impression.
“In the beginning, I was more focused on figuring out where I fit in,” said Soldo, who recorded a career-high 54 strikeouts in the thrilling victory over the Dockers.
The best course of action is to collaborate, and we’re all attempting to improve one another as well as create some synergy around the stoppage.
“And the new captain, new vice-captain, they’re really stepping up as well.”
The matchup with the Magpies and their coach Craig McRae and assistant Justin Leppitsch, who had both worked with the ruckman at Richmond, was something Soldo was looking forward to.
“It’s going to be pretty interesting,” he stated.
“I have worked closely with Justin Leppitsch and Craig McRae during my time with Richmond, so I am aware of their desire for an exciting game.
“And I’m pretty excited to get over there.”
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