Port Adelaide forward Jeremy Finlayson has re-signed for 2025 amid fresh rumours surrounding ruckman Ivan Soldo, while defender Lachie Jones inking a two-year extension ahead of the AFL finals and Dan Houston’s possible exit.
Finlayson’s one-year deal for next season takes the pressure off his recovery from a lacerated spleen suffered in Round 18.
The 28-year-old did not require surgery but needed extensive rest to let it heal.
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The injury setback brought an early end to Finlayson’s season after just 12 games, having also served a three-match ban for a homophobic remark against Essendon in Round 4.
“I’m really happy to be at Port Adelaide for another season,” Finlayson said.
“Some of my best friends are here at this club and for me, having a welcoming and comfortable work environment to go to every day is so important.
“The support that me and my family have received from the club over the last three years has been amazing, and I’m really excited to be sticking around.”
Outside football, his wife Kellie recently restarted chemotherapy to help slow the spread of her Stage 4 cancer.
Finlayson’s re-signing comes amid fresh speculation that ruckman Ivan Soldo could seek a move after just one year at Port Adelaide.
A Richmond premiership player, Soldo played just eight games this season after battling a knee injury and being supplanted by fellow new recruit Jordon Sweet.
Soldo has “a level of disenchantment” after “it hasn’t quite worked out for him at Port Adelaide”, according to SEN’s Sam Edmund.
Finlayson’s contributions as a ruck were noted by Port list boss Jason Cripps as crucial to the re-signing decision.
“Jeremy is an important part of our forward group and he provides flexibility with his ability to second ruck,” Cripps said.
“His size and athleticism makes him a difficult match-up and we look forward to having a fit and healthy Jeremy for 2025.”
The Power will enter September as one of the in-form teams having ended the home-and-away campaign on a six-match winning streak.
Jones, 22, missed one of those wins and was substituted out of two more, battling Achilles soreness in the Showdown two weeks ago, but now enters the finals on a high.
With Houston missing due to a five-game ban, Jones played a full game in the crucial win over Fremantle last week that sealed second spot on the ladder.
Jones has now been rewarded with a new contract until the end of 2026.
“I’m really happy to be at Port Adelaide for another two years,” he said.
“I love the environment at the club and I’m excited about being part of the future of this playing group.
“It’s an honour to be able to continue my career here and am looking forward to what the next couple of years brings.”
Cripps lauded Jones as a “real asset” as he develops in the AFL.
“We are excited about what he brings to the club, and the potential he has as a young player,” he said.
“Locking both players in for at least another year also gives us some further continuity in our playing group.”
Houston has a contract until the end of 2027 but is reportedly entertaining trade discussions from Victorian clubs.
“He has got a three-year contract with our footy club, loves our footy club,” Port coach Ken Hinkley said last week.
“I’m really comfortable that Dan will play more games for Port.”
Houston made the All Australian team last year and was this week announced in the 44-man squad for 2024.