Bomber Orazio Fantasia made contact with both Adelaide FC and Port Adelaide partway through the year regarding a wish to return home, reports Caroline Wilson.
Caro has told the FIVEAA sports show that Port Adelaide — who were in the box seat to secure the forward — were “bemused” when Orazio appeared to change his mind on Thursday:
“This is a story that has been bubbling along for months. I think Port and Adelaide were contacted by the player’s original manger in the middle of the year and told he wanted to move home to Adelaide.
“Port Adelaide were in the box seat and then they got a call today from the new manager saying Orazio’s changed his mind, he wants to stay at Essendon.
“I’m not sure they’re devastated. I don’t think he’s even been to the club and had a look around… I wouldn’t say they were pursuing him fervently… they would be disappointed… but they weren’t going to go nuts with what they were going to offer for him.
“I think they’re pretty surprised he’s going to see out his contract, but there you go.
“Yes disappointed, not devastated, certainly bemused and surprised. When a player manger approaches you in June/July and says this guy wants to move home, it’s a bit odd…”
