Matthew Broadbent Biography

Matthew Broadbent returns to training with Port Adelaide after two weeks away from the club to deal with a mental health issue.

"It's almost a situation where he selects when he feels like he can play," Power coach Ken Hinkley said.

"If he came to me tomorrow and said, 'Mate, I want to play against (North Adelaide) on Saturday', I'd be happy enough to put him out there.

"But if he comes to me in three weeks, four weeks, and wants to play, equally as happy."

Matthew Broadbent will be out indefinitely as he deals with a mental health issue.

"Matthew is a valued player, teammate and person at the Port Adelaide Football Club. At this point, the best option for his overall health is to step away from the game for a while," Power football manager Chris Davies said.

Matthew Broadbent's wretched luck with injury continues after he was ruled out for the rest of the 2018 season with a stress fracture in his right foot.

The 27-year-old hasn't played a senior game this year after having two operations on his right ankle.

He played his second game of the season in the SANFL last Sunday before rolling his left ankle in the last quarter.

"Matthew developed mid-foot soreness from the game on the weekend and was found to have a developing stress fracture in his first toe," Port Adelaide's head of high performance Ian McKeown said.

"He will be off his legs for an indefinite period of time to allow the bone to heal before commencing running again, so unfortunately he will not be taking any further part in the season."

Matthew Broadbent is now certain to have a delayed start to the season after further surgery on the ankle he injured in a freak training accident last year.

The durable 27-year-old underwent a second operation on the joint after it refused to settle since off-season surgery in October.

Matthew Broadbent will miss two weeks with a hamstring injury, but is expected to be available for the club's final game of the JLT Community Series.

"This is the first rehab session that he's ever had in his career," Power midfield coach Michael Voss said.

"You can guarantee one thing – he won't be there that long. He's a true pro and he'll be back pretty soon."

Matthew Broadbent has re-committed to Port Adelaide for the long term, with the utility inking a new four-year contract that will keep him at the club until the end of 2019.

Broadbent was due to come out of contract at the end of this season but would have been one year shy of qualifying for free agency.

"The family has always been a part of this club since grandpa worked on the medical team, and I always loved the fact that I got to play for the club I grew up supporting, it's an easy decision to sign on," Broadbent said.

"I've really enjoyed the last couple of years here especially, and feel my footy's been able to develop.

"Going forward I want to keep playing my role in the team consistently, it's something I'm really focussed on.

"I'll be 28 by the time my contract comes up again and the chance to be part of this really dedicated group of guys working together is great."

A move to half back after the bye has reinvigorated Matthew Broadbent who has returned to form after a slow start to the year.

"(At the) start of the year I probably wasn't in great form, I knew that, and was trying everything to get out of it," Broadbent said.

"I thought I was training pretty well over the pre-season and for whatever reason things weren't happening … all you can do is keep working hard and try and move on.

"Having that week off was really good mentally and to go back to half-back and feel a bit more settled back there has probably helped as well."

Young midfielder Matthew Broadbent has signed a new deal with the Power.

"It's not hard at all, I've grown up loving this club so I'm very happy and very excited to be a part of the future," Broadbent said.

"I'm very grateful to the club for giving me the opportunity."

Matthew Broadbent says he has improved his leadership abilities this season and will need to be put them to use against Geelong with the Power having its entire leadership group out injured.

"I think I've stepped that side of my game up," he said.

"It probably comes with having a little bit more confidence and a bit more experience, but I feel more comfortable leading the group.

"Coming into my fourth year now, I've played enough games to take a bit more (responsibility) upon myself."

Port Adelaide youngster Matthew Broadbent is about to make his debut for the club against the West Coast Eagles.

"I'm a little bit nervous, but more excited than anything and I can't wait to get out there and mix it with the big boys," Broadbent said.

"I've followed Port my whole life so it's a pretty special dream come true to be wearing the guernsey and hopefully I'll do it proud and get a win."

Draftee Matthew Broadbent is in line for his Power debut, but Hamish Hartlett will miss four weeks with a hamstring injury.