PORT Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has all but ruled out making a play for departing Gold Coast star Jaeger O'Meara, declaring the Power will be hanging on to their first-round draft pick.
The Suns are likely to demand at least two first-round selections, or the equivalent in players, to facilitate a trade involving the talented but injury-prone midfielder.
Hinkley worked briefly with O'Meara from his time as an assistant coach at the Suns from 2010 to late 2012.
Jaeger's bombshell: Gun Sun wants out
"No. I don't know where Jaeger's going, I don't know what he's up to," Hinkley told reporters in Adelaide on Friday.
"I had very little time with Jaeger.
"As with any football club, we'll have a look at see what happens with that position, but we're taking our first-round draft pick and going to the draft."
Hinkley will get a look at his old club when the Power round off their disappointing season against the Suns at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night.
The Power are already taking steps to rejuvenate their team.
Defender Riley Bonner and midfielder Will Snelling will become the fifth and sixth players this season to make their AFL debuts for the club.
They join NAB Rising Star nominee Darcy Byrne-Jones, Logan Austin, Jesse Palmer and Dougal Howard, who is sidelined with a torn ACL.
Bonner was Port's first pick and No.37 overall in last year's draft, while Snelling was picked up in the rookie draft and captained the under-18 SA team last year.
"I think they've both played really consistent football and earned the opportunity to be picked, but there may have been another week or two we may have waited," Hinkley said.
"(Snelling)'s form over the past month has been as good as any of the younger boys.
"We think (Bonner) is a slightly taller (version) of Jasper (Pittard).
"He's got some class about him and he's able to defend."
The Power (9-12) have lost their past three games, but delivered a much improved performance in a gutsy 15-point defeat against Adelaide in last weekend's Showdown.
It's the second straight season the Power have missed the finals after coming into the year with high expectations.
"I know my responsibility, there is no hiding from the fact we've had two disappointing seasons," Hinkley said.
"It's been a difficult year from a results point of view, but it doesn't wear me down.
"I'm up for the fight and I look forward to the next battle, and that's tomorrow night for us."
The match will be the last for veteran Power forward Jay Schulz, who won't be offered a contract next season.
Schulz wants to play on next year, the 31-year-old having kicked 330 goals in 193 games for Richmond and Port Adelaide
