Port Adelaide ruckman Scott Lycett is sad to see his teammate Hamish Hartlett go.
Hartlett, 31, was this week delisted by the Power after 13 seasons at Alberton.
The defender himself admits he would love to continue playing at the elite level and Lycett is hoping the same thing after his colleague was given the “heartbreaking” news.
“I’ve been back at Port Adelaide for three years and although I’ve known of ‘Hammer’ for a long time, I didn’t know him personally until I came back to Port,” Lycett said on SEN SA Drive.
“Coming back to Port, it was actually quite surprising how much the playing group and the supporters and the coaches just rallied behind him and how much he meant to all the players, how much leadership he shows.
“I saw him when he got the call from Kenny (Hinkley) when he had the meeting. He came down and I was one of the first people that he saw. It’s not a pretty sight.
“When you’re living your boyhood dream and playing for the club that you love, to be told that you’re not going to be around next year is pretty heartbreaking.
“He just told me straight away and I just got up and hugged him. That’s all you can do for such a great teammate and team man in Hammer, just be there for him.
“Hopefully there’s more footy for him in the future.”
Hartlett debuted for Port in 2009 and went on to play 193 times for his hometown club.
He played 10 matches in 2021 with coach Ken Hinkley preferring others over him in the half-back position.