It wouldn’t be too many times, if ever, that Orazio Fantasia has been mentioned in the same sentence as Gary Ablett and Eddie Betts.
But if the Port Adelaide forward gets his way, he will become the latest player to be traded back to the club where he started his career.
That’s right, Fantasia wants to be a Don again.
Sources close to the situation told The Scoop that the former Bomber, who currently can’t get a game for Port and is stuck playing in the SANFL, has spoken to former teammate and close friend Zach Merrett about his desire to return to Tullamarine.
This column contacted Merrett, who confirmed the pair had spoken, but the Bombers captain didn’t want to be quoted and said he would leave list management to the higher powers at Essendon.
Fantasia has only managed three games this season under Ken Hinkley in what is his third and final year of his current contract.
Orazio Fantasia has struggled for game time at Port Adelaide this season. Could a return to Essendon beckon?Credit: AFL Photos
Merrett and Fantasia were drafted together in 2013 and have remained close since Fantasia sought a move home to South Australia, citing homesickness among other things.
Now, Fantasia’s desire to return to Essendon is one thing; whether Essendon have the same desire is an entirely different question.
Fantasia at his best can be a devastating small forward. He’s kicked five goals in a game on three separate occasions and was a handful for the majority of the 2017 season, when he kicked 39 goals from 20 games in the red and black.
He’s not yet 27, so his age is of no concern. But, due to a mixture of injury and form, Fantasia has managed only 24 games since the start of 2020.
Essendon have made no secret of their priorities in the off-season, stating that they will look for a key defender and potentially another key forward, while also looking to lock away their own players like Mason Redman, who, as Fantasia once did, is considering a return home to South Australia.
North Melbourne free agent Ben McKay is on Brad Scott’s radar, with the former Kangaroos coach and ex-head of football at the AFL clear on the list management direction at his new club.
That’s not to say that the Bombers won’t look to secure Fantasia if, in fact, he does request a trade, but he isn’t a priority.
If a trade to Essendon doesn’t eventuate, Fantasia could still seek a move to another Victorian club. He owns property in Melbourne and quality small forwards are hard to find.
Carlton are still looking for the right mix, having dropped several of their smalls to the VFL this season. Hawthorn are looking for the next Luke Breust, while Chad Wingard has found himself in the reserves recently. Even Melbourne, ranked 18th for “points for” in the last six weeks, are still looking for goal kickers.
Port Adelaide, and Fantasia’s manager, Michael Doughty, were contacted for comment.
