Port Adelaide will only offer one-year AFL contract extensions to axed stalwarts Paddy Ryder and Justin Westhoff, coach Ken Hinkley says.
The decorated duo were dumped from Port's side which defeated ladder-leaders Geelong on Saturday night, prompting speculation about their futures.
Hinkley says both are valued players but the Power are likely to offer them one-year deals to continue next season.
Both Ryder, 31, and Westhoff, 32, are off-contract at season's end.
There's speculation Ryder's management are seeking a two-year deal.
"We are really comfortable that any manager would want to potentially get a longer term for any of their players," Hinkley told SEN radio on Tuesday.
"I think Paddy is aware that at his stage of his career, like Westy, that we won't be talking about longer contracts.
"We will be talking about a shorter-term contract but we still want him to be part of our footy club."
Hinkley ruled out the pair returning for Saturday night's home game against Western Bulldogs, giving their AFL axing coincided with a bye for Port's state league side.
"It is unlikely for us that we would bring anyone back in that actually haven't played (last weekend)," he said.
Ryder and Westhoff's omission had hit home to their Port teammates that no-one was safe for AFL selection.
"Not too much of a wake-up call, rather it's no one spot in the side is cemented," defender Ryan Burton told reporters on Tuesday.
"Everyone has to be playing good footy and in good form.
"And I guess they were just the ones who had been lacking a little bit in the last couple of weeks."
Port must make two changes for the Bulldogs game with Dougal Howard and Karl Amon to accept one-match suspensions offered by the match review panel.
Both were cited for incidents during Port's 11-point win over the Cats, which Burton said had boosted belief within the club.
"It shows that once we do put a four quarter performance together, that we can beat the best in the comp," he said.
Australian Associated Press
