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AFL Trade: Why Port Adelaide need to rebuff West Coast interest and hold on to Sam Powell-Pepper

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Catherine HealeyThe West Australian
Kane Cornes warns Port Adelaide would end up in a ‘lose-lose’ situation if they trade Sam Powell-Pepper.
Camera IconKane Cornes warns Port Adelaide would end up in a ‘lose-lose’ situation if they trade Sam Powell-Pepper. Credit: Daniel Kalisz/via AFL Photos

Port Adelaide premiership player Kane Cornes says unless midfielder Sam Powell-Pepper tells the Power he’s homesick and wants to return to WA, then the club should rebuff any trade interest from West Coast.

Describing any deal as “lose-lose” on AFL Trade Radio, Cornes said it was in both Port’s and WA-raised Powell-Pepper’s best interests to remain at Alberton.

“They’re not going to get anything significant in return for a contracted player who’s played nearly 100 games, he’s only 23 years of age. He’s been on the outskirts of their best 22,” Cornes said.

“West Coast aren’t going to want to give up anything.

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“Unless Sam Powell-Pepper says like (Carlton’s Sam) Petrevski-Seton has done, ‘I’m out, I’m done. I’m going home, I want to go home, I’ve flown home. I’ve met with the Eagles, that’s my club’. Until he says that, I don’t see there’s a way Port Adelaide have any upside in letting him go because of the compensation you’re not going to get back in return for him.

Sam Powell-Pepper’s name has been linked with a return home to WA.
Camera IconSam Powell-Pepper’s name has been linked with a return home to WA. Credit: Mark Brake/via AFL Photos

“There’s some areas of his game that need work... The best environment for him to do that is at Port Adelaide.”

Powell-Pepper is seeking more time in the midfield, after playing as the medical sub in the Power’s finals series.

He had been dropped for the last two games of the home and away season.

The Eagles are reportedly keen to get a deal for homesick Sam Petrevski-Seton locked in before considering a move for Wesley College product Powell-Pepper.

Powell-Pepper, who just last week announced he and his partner were expecting their first child, will come out of contract at the end of 2023.

Petrevski-Seton, meantime, is already back in WA and has nominated West Coast as his club of choice.

His move back to WA could prove the steal of the 2021 trade period, with the Eagles likely to fork out just pick 52 for the former pick six from the 2016 Draft.

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