Port Adelaide ruckman Ivan Soldo has hit back at the haters, saying he didn't attend the club's best and fairest award because he was at his best friend's wedding.
Soldo has endured a topsy-turvy trade period, with his proposed move to St Kilda falling through after the Saints expressed concerns about the state of his knee.
The 28-year-old, who won a flag at Richmond in 2019 and is contracted to Port until the end of 2026, raised eyebrows when he was a no-show at the Power's best-and-fairest award.
Nathan Buckley and Kane Cornes were among those criticising Soldo for his no-show, and the ruckman hit back on Wednesday.
"I'm honestly fed up with this ridiculous narrative that seems to not stop circulating," Soldo wrote on Instagram.
"Let's just clear some things up. The only reason I didn't attend the PAFC best and fairest was because it was on the same night as my best friend's wedding that I was the best man for.
"The club fully supported me to attend."
Soldo is now resigned to staying at Port, despite playing just eight games this year after falling behind Jordon Sweet in the ruck pecking order.
"In regards to the trade (that fell through at St Kilda), this happens every year and it's just a part of the job. I'm still contracted with Port and have no intentions of leaving," he said.
It's been rumoured Soldo's partner Chelsea Becirevic was unhappy in Adelaide and was keen for them to move to Melbourne.
Soldo hit back at the online criticism Becirevic has received since he made his trade request public.
"The bullying and hate towards my partner also needs to stop. This backwards narrative is getting old," he said.
Port Adelaide football boss Chris Davies said Soldo was yet to fully adapt to life in Adelaide.
"I think Ivan hasn't settled in Adelaide the way he and maybe we haven't liked and we have a part to play in that as well," Davies told AFL Trade Radio.
"So we've got to try and help him into the future and settle into the city a little bit more. And if he can't do that, we'll probably be in this situation again next year."
