Polarising footy commentator Kane Cornes has fired back at Port Adelaide ruckman Ivan Soldo, doubling down on his criticism as the pair’s war of words continues to escalate.

Soldo, 28, had been sounded out by St Kilda during the AFL draft period, which wrapped up on Wednesday.

That would have been music to the ears of his partner Chelsea Becirevic, who had previously said that Adelaide had ‘been a struggle for me’ and she did not see herself living there permanently.

The influencer, who had followed Soldo from Richmond to the Power, even left Adelaide without her partner to work for an airline in Dubai.

However, the move did not transpire, with the Saints pulling out of the deal and leaving the big man in the lurch.

Soldo, who didn’t attend the club’s best and fairest awards night, was also criticised by AFL greats Nathan Buckley and Kane Cornes for ‘character’ issues following the saga. 

On Wednesday morning, Soldo fired back at Cornes for his remarks – and now the Port Adelaide great has returned serve.

‘The criticism is around wanting the easy way out every time,’ Cornes clarified on Nine’s Footy Furnace.

Kane Cornes has taken a swipe at Port Adelaide ruckman Ivan Soldo for always ‘wanting the easy way out’

Ivan Soldo (pictured with girlfriend Chelsea Becirevic) has stated he has no intention of leaving Port Adelaide

‘He wanted the easy way out at Richmond to break a contract because he wasn’t the number one ruckman. 

‘He went to Port Adelaide because he thought he was going to be the number one ruckman. He quickly realised he wasn’t, so then he wants to break another contract and have the easy way out and demand a trade to a club who hadn’t agreed to the trade.’

Soldo stated he has ‘no intentions of leaving’ Port Adelaide as he clapped back at commentators who slammed his absence from the club’s best and fairest awards.

‘I’m honestly fed up with this ridiculous narrative that seems to not stop circulating,’ he posted 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 friends wedding, that I was the best man for. In which the club fully supported me to attend. If that reflects badly on my character then Kane our values clearly don’t align.

‘In regards to the trade, this happens every year and it’s just apart (sic) of the job. I’m still contracted with port and have no intentions of leaving.

Ivan Soldo (pictured with hit back at critics and trolls who are attacking his partner online

‘Also, the bullying and hate towards my partner also needs to stop, this backwards narrative is getting old.’

Soldo’s statement came as Power boss Chris Davies told AFL Trade Radio that the player had permission to be at the wedding and was likely to stay at Port Adelaide.

‘I think Ivan hasn’t settled into Adelaide the way he would’ve liked and maybe the way we would’ve liked, and we have a part to play in that,’ Davies said.

‘We’ve got to try to help him 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.

‘Unless something happens today, he comes back to our club and fights for a ruck spot.

‘I think he’s probably staying.’

It now appears that Soldo will see out the remainder of his contract at Port Adelaide that expires in 2026.