PORT Adelaide defender Alipate Carlile has followed in the footsteps of teammate Jackson Trengove, putting an end to speculation over his future and re-signing with the club.

Carlile had been linked to newcomers Greater Western Sydney as well as clubs in his home state of Victoria.

On Tuesday, the 24-year-old admitted he "probably" had interest from rival teams, but said he never spoke to his manager about the prospect of leaving Alberton.

"Like Jackson, family is pretty important to me. I just had to tick the boxes with the family, and once I got that over the line it was a pretty easy decision," Carlile said.

"I love the footy club, love the supporters and love the boys. I really want to help get this club back to where it deserves to be."

As per club policy, the duration of Carlile's new contract was not disclosed.

Trengove, 20, also resisted overtures from interstate to stick with the Power, announcing his decision at a press conference last week.

Coach Matthew Primus said the club was thrilled to have re-signed its two most promising key defenders.

"They’re hard to find, good key-position players and the club's done a lot of work to try and get these guys over the line," Primus said.

"It's terrific we can now build with him [Carlile] and Jackson a pretty formidable backline over the next 5-10 years.

"It's great for another young player to commit their future to the club."

Carlile finished third in Port Adelaide's best and fairest award last season, but has struggled to recapture that form this year because of a persistent hip injury.

The Fijian-born full-back has been accused of looking disinterested in games this year, which was interpreted by some as a sign he planned to walk out on the club at the end of the season.

Primus defended the 90-game player, saying he was unfairly "maligned".

"'Bobby' [Carlile] is the ultimate competitor at our club. He hates losing as much as anyone," Primus said.

"He's had issues this year with his body and been able to get himself fit enough to play some real good footy especially in the second half of the season.

"Nobody knows the work he puts in to prepare himself to play well."

Injury-plagued midfielder Andrew Moore is also close to signing a new contract with Port Adelaide, but Primus said the club was still "a little way off" negotiating a deal to retain emerging forward John Butcher.

Butcher, 20, has been a revelation since making his long-awaited debut against Hawthorn at the MCG in round 21.

The former No.8 draft-pick has kicked 12 goals in three games, including a bag of six in the Power's 60-point loss to the Western Bulldogs in round 22.

Butcher has put off contract talks until the end of the season and has attracted interest from clubs interstate, but Primus was hopeful the strong-marking big man would agree to stay at the club.

"As long as 'Butch' doesn't kick too many goals on Sunday we'll be confident," Primus said.

"'Butch' is playing some great footy. I think [football manager] Peter Rohde is meeting his manager today.

"He's weighing up stuff too, but I think he'll be getting a bit of a feel of the camaraderie the players have here. Hopefully, in a week or two weeks we can announce Butcher is staying too."

The Power will finish a disappointing season against Melbourne at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

Port Adelaide has already recorded its worst-ever season, and must beat the Demons and rely on the Hawks beating Gold Coast to avoid securing the club's first wooden spoon.

As it stands, Port Adelaide will have pick No.4 in November's NAB AFL Draft, but Primus said he would be happy to slip to pick No.6 with a win over the Demons this week.

"It's more important for us to win [than get pick No.4], and I think you saw that by the actions of the club on Sunday and what we tried to do against Essendon," he said.

"We'll go out there to win that game. We need a win. It's been a long time since we’ve been able to sing the song and had a smile on our faces. Whether we get pick No.4 or pick No.6 is irrelevant.

"We want to win this game and have something to bounce into pre-season with."

Katrina Gill covers Adelaide news for afl.com.au. Follow her on Twitter: @AFL_KatrinaGill