Port Adelaide ruck Ivan Soldo has hit back at criticism surrounding his non-attendance at the club’s best-and-fairest awards function.

Soldo said he did not attend because he was at his best friend’s wedding.

Kane Cornes and Nathan Buckley were among those who criticised Soldo for not attending the function.

Soldo took to social media to respond to the criticism.

“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 has endured a topsy-turvy trade period, with his proposed move to St Kilda falling through after the Saints expressed concerns about the condition of his knee.

The 28-year-old is now resigned to staying at the Power, despite playing just eight matches 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,” Soldo wrote.

“I’m still contracted with Port and have no intentions of leaving.”

Port Adelaide football general manager 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.”

Soldo won a premiership at Richmond in 2019 and is contracted to the Power until the end of 2026.

AAP