PORT ADELAIDE has farewelled midfielder Joe Atley, defender Riley Grundy and forwards Tobin Cox and Wylie Buzza after they were informed their contracts would not be renewed for 2021.

Atley, 22, came to Port Adelaide with pick 32 in the 2016 AFL Draft and quickly showed his ability to win the ball and be clean in possession.

He made his AFL debut against West Coast in Round 16, 2017 and played the following two games.

Atley struggled to break back into the side after that, with his only other AFL game coming in 2019 in the Round 9 win against Gold Coast.

Grundy, 20, has yet to make his AFL debut, after initially being selected with pick 73 at the 2018 National Draft, but played 14 SANFL games in 2019.

A developing key defender with a basketball background, Grundy was delisted at the end of 2019 but reclaimed by Port Adelaide as a rookie.

Padthaway product, Cox, landed at Alberton in the 2018 Rookie Draft and quickly made a name for himself with his class around goals and set shot.

The 21-year-old booted 30 goals from 15 SANFL games last year and got his first look at the AFL level in the 2020 Marsh Community Series when he played against Brisbane.

Buzza joined Port Adelaide as a delisted free agent at the end of last season from Geelong, where he played nine AFL games.

The 199-centimetre forward, who also played in the ruck, was unable to break into the Power team in 2020.

“We’ve reached the time of the year where we have to make difficult decisions about the direction we take with our playing list,” Davies said.

“I would like to thank Joe, Riley, Tobin and Wylie for their efforts and professionalism during their time at the club, and the contribution they have made to our group.

“They will always be part of the Port Adelaide family, and we wish them well for the future on and off the field.”

Midfielder Jake Patmore and defender Martin Frederick have been advised they will not be considered for AFL selection during finals and will therefore no longer train with the club beyond this week as the club awaits a decision on the future of list sizes and Category B rookies.

The decision sees them not bound by the AFL’s COVID-19 protocols.