PORT ADELAIDE big man Matthew Lobbe's bid to reignite his career elsewhere as a No. 1 ruckman appears in doubt, with rival clubs showing only lukewarm interest.

Lobbe, who will turn 28 in February, still has three years to run on his contract with the Power, but has twice been dropped to the SANFL over the past two seasons.

He also battled a knee injury this season that sidelined him for 10 games.

Compounding matters for Lobbe, Patrick Ryder will return from a season-long WADA suspension and is expected to resume the No. 1 ruck mantle.

Lobbe's manager Michael Doughty told NAB AFL Trade Radio on Thursday afternoon that Lobbe-related trade talks had been "pretty quiet" and was unsure how the situation would play out.

"We've obviously spoken to the club and he's still got three years to run on his contract, so the likelihood of him getting somewhere else is probably 50/50," Doughty said.

"There's a few clubs interested, but nothing to write home about at the moment.

"He wants the opportunity to be lead ruck and obviously with Ryder coming back in, that opportunity is going to be limited."

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There had been a flurry of interest in Lobbe during last year's trade period, but Doughty said it had been too late to be seriously considered, particularly given Lobbe was holidaying in Vietnam at the time.

"That was a bit of a surprise, and we've worked through that with Port Adelaide and we're much clearer this year on if there is an opportunity, we'll look to pursue it with Matthew," Doughty said.

Meanwhile, Doughty revealed Adelaide veteran Scott Thompson would continue on with the Crows next season but in a "different" role, incorporating both playing and coaching.

He expected a decision to be announced either late Thursday or on Friday.

Doughty said Thompson's original AFL club Melbourne hadn't made a formal offer and that "minor discussions" between the 33-year-old and Demons coach Simon Goodwin, a former Crows teammate, had been based around how his coaching career might unfold if he were to relocate to Victoria.

Meanwhile, Doughty was hopeful young Adelaide midfielder Mitch Grigg would find a new home or retain his place on the Crows' list.

Doughty had earlier announced that fellow long-term Power signing Hamish Hartlett wanted to remain at Alberton.