This article originally appeared on AFL.com.au and does not represent the views of the Port Adelaide Football Club
PORT ADELAIDE expects star forward/midfielder Chad Wingard to remain at the Power next year despite interest from the Western Bulldogs.
Wingard is contracted to the Power for 2019, but the Bulldogs have publicly confirmed they'd be keen to pursue the dual All Australian.
The Power's head of football Chris Davies said Wingard was a required player.
"Nothing's changed in regard to Chad, he's a contracted player for us in 2019," Davies told reporters on Monday.
"I saw (Bulldogs list manager) Sam Power's comments mentioning they have some interest.
"The reality is right now, nothing has compelled Chad to suggest he doesn't want to be at Port Adelaide as it stands.
"From our perspective, he's a Port Adelaide player in 2019."
Wingard has posted cryptic messages on social media suggesting he's unhappy in recent weeks, but Davies said he wasn't concerned.
"Contracts usurp all that type of stuff," Davies said.
"I don't think he's unhappy, I think he's pretty happy being close to his family in Murray Bridge in South Australia.
"We're progressing as if Chad is with us next year."
The Power's plans to secure West Coast premiership ruckman Scott Lycett as a restricted free agent have hit a hurdle, with the Eagles considering matching the five-year offer.
The Eagles have until Tuesday afternoon to decide whether they match the offer, which would then force a trade, or Lycett would have to go into the draft.
"Worried's probably not the right word. We knew going into this they have an option to do that," Davies said.
"We'll wait and see whatever plays out over the next 24 hours.
"We've got some other options if we wanted to go down that path.
"Right now, we're head and shoulders into Scott, who's indicated he wants to come to Port Adelaide and we'll find out over the next 24 hours and we'll reassess what needs to happen after that 24-hour period."
The Power are in discussions with North Melbourne about a deal for winger Jared Polec, who intends to join the Kangaroos on a five-year contract.
Power outside runner Karl Amon has expressed an interest to return to Victoria and they keeping an eye on Brisbane defender Sam Mayes.
"Sam's a young South Australian player and we make sure we monitor all of those guys' careers pretty closely," Davies said.
"I'm sure they'll be some talk about it.
"We haven't locked in anything in regard to Sam at this point."
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