Port Adelaide's Matt Thomas likely to join Richmond MICHELANGELO RUCCI
From: The Advertiser
September 03, 2013 10:58PMPORT Adelaide is destined to "lose" its third free-agent in two years with defender-midfielder Matt Thomas drawing interest from Richmond.
Thomas, 26, still has no contract offer from the Power - and is again tempting the Tigers, this time to cover the loss by retirement of experienced midfielder Shane Tuck.
The Tigers considered Thomas last year but needed to trade for the Victorian as he was still under contract at Alberton. This year, Richmond merely has to put an attractive offer to Thomas - and claim him as a free agent, as it did with Power key defender Troy Chaplin last season.
If Port does not match Richmond's offer, Thomas can simply walk to Punt Road without compensation to the Power.
Port football operations chief Peter Rohde confirmed the Power still has not entered contract talks with Thomas.
"We have not made a final decision," said Rohde of the list-management planning at Alberton.
Thomas has played just four games this season, adding to the 83 since his AFL debut in 2006. He has fallen into competition for a place in the Power match 22 with younger contenders Cam O'Shea, Aaron Young and first-year sensation Ollie Wines.
Port had five free agents this season - and has just Thomas and defender-midfielder Tom Logan with their futures undecided. Of the other free agents, Brett Ebert has retired and Kane Cornes and Alipate Carlile have signed new deals.
Port last year conceded free agents Chaplin to Richmond and Danyle Pearce to Fremantle while claiming small forward Angus Monfries from Essendon.
http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/port-adelaide8217s-matt-thomas-likely-to-join-richmond/story-fndv8s6g-1226710117866