Orazio Fantasia Biography

Orazio Fantasia officially signs with Carlton as a delisted free agent after three seasons with Port Adelaide.

"Orazio is a quality AFL footballer, he'll bring his extensive skillset into our environment and will have everything at his disposal to maximise that ability," Carlton head of list management Nick Austin said.

"When we sat down with Orazio during the off-season, one thing that was clear was his hunger to get back to senior football. Both we and Orazio see the strength he can bring to our front half."

Orazio Fantasia rejects a contract offer from Port Adelaide and is set to join Carlton.

Orazio Fantasia and Power coach Ken Hinkley have both dismissed speculation the injury-plagued goalsneak wants to leave Port Adelaide.

Fantasia has had a wretched run of soft-tissue injuries and has played just four AFL games in the past two seasons.

"There's no challenge with Orazio and talent, there's absolutely no challenges," Hinkley said.

"He has had a horrible run with being able to stay on the park. If he is capable of staying on the park, 100 per cent he would be on our list."

Orazio Fantasia has been sent for knee surgery and will have an operation in Victoria, bypassing South Australia's ban on elective surgery amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Orazio Fantasia is having an interrupted pre-season due to ongoing issues with his right knee and will consult his surgeon to consider the best course of action.

Orazio Fantasia might not be fit to return until the final rounds of the 2021 season after surgery failed to address issues he was experiencing with his knee.

"It (his knee) hasn't quite responded the way we have liked. It's a week-to-week proposition a bit. The surgery we were hopeful would fix it mainly, but there's still some problems," Power coach Ken Hinkley said.

Power recruit Orazio Fantasia says he is looking forward to facing his old teammates when Port Adelaide takes on Essendon this week.

"I am sure I will be nervous when it gets close to the game but nothing but love for those (Essendon) guys," Fantasia said.

"It will probably be weird running out against a few of them and I will probably be a bit cheeky and call out for the ball off them when they have got it ... and try and get into a few of their heads. But it should be fun."

Essendon trades Orazio Fantasia to Port Adelaide. Port receives Fantasia and pick No.73, while the Bombers get a second-round selection, currently pick No.29, and a future third-round selection in return.

"We know his speed, skill and goal sense will add to our forward mix, and his availability in the front half will allow us to give more midfield minutes to some of our younger players like Zak Butters and Connor Rozee," Port Adelaide football manager Chris Davies said.

"He has had some injury issues in recent years, but we back our medical and high-performance teams to get him back to full fitness and playing some strong, Port Adelaide football over the coming years."

Port Adelaide football boss Chris Davies says the club won't overpay for the wantaway Bombers forward Orazio Fantasia.

"If a player says he wants to come, we do our best to work to get him to us, but at the same time there's a limit. We're probably at that limit right now to be perfectly honest," Davies said.

"We agreed on what things we thought we could give to Essendon at the start of the Trade Period, we've offered those up. Where things go from here is largely in Adrian's (Essendon list manager Adrian Dodoro) court."

Adelaide's head of football Adam Kelly says the club will speak to Orazio Fantasia about his desire to return to South Australia, but that the club is wary of his history with injuries.

"Any player who's gone interstate who wants to return home, we're keen to talk to and understand what their motivations are," Kelly said.

"As you'd imagine there would be some obvious concern there. He's played 33 games over the last three years, so he's had some durability issues. The medical team, if we went down that path, they'll make a thorough assessment because it obviously presents an area of risk."

Orazio Fantasia Fantasia will undergo independent medical testing this week that will then be forwarded onto potential suitors Port Adelaide and Adelaide as he again weighs up requesting a trade home to South Australia.

The Essendon forward has endured another injury-ravaged season, playing only five games, and none since round seven, because of soft-tissue setbacks.

Essendon is set to persist with Orazio Fantasia as a defender after he switched to a defensive role in the Bombers' victory over North Melbourne, winning 19 disposals and providing plenty of drive.

"We're really excited by what he brings to our team, regardless of whether he's forward or back. He's a quality player. He gives us a look at something a little bit different to our backline mix," Essendon coach John Worsfold said.

"We think it adds another layer to how we want to play, so it's something that we're going to continue with for the near-future as we assess what it does for us overall as a team."

Zach Merrett is among a host of changes to the Bombers' 2020 leadership group, with wantaway forward Joe Daniher and Orazio Fantasia also cut from the squad.

The complete overhaul will see four fresh faces serve under captain Dyson Heppell in the five-man group this year including Devon Smith, Dylan Shiel, David Zaharakis and Michael Hurley.

"It's just a good opportunity to reflect on your leadership style. I know last year I wasn't in the group but I think my leadership grew throughout the year," Hurley said.

"I saw things slightly differently, became a bit of a conduit for some of the players who weren't in the leadership group and some of the younger players. Zach will find ways to grow. He's a smart young guy, driven, so I think his leadership will continue to grow and we'll see him as a leader in the future."

After months of speculation of a move back to South Australia, Orazio Fantasia decides to remain with Essendon in 2020.

Fantasia has two seasons to run on his latest, heavily front-ended contract, which he signed in August last year, but he will be a free agent at the end of that period.

Fantasia will earn significantly less money in 2020 before his wage rises again for 2021.

Orazio Fantasia has finally locked in a new manager and is set to request a trade home to South Australia in the coming days.

Fantasia split from his most recent manager, Anthony McConville, a fortnight ago and has replaced him with Adelaide-based TLA Australia agent Michael Doughty.

There was a bidding war-of-sorts to win Fantasia's services, with several player managers presenting to him last week and others not even making it that far.

Dougal Howard is emerging as the player who could help deliver Essendon forward Orazio Fantasia to Port Adelaide.

The Bombers met with Howard this week, having reportedly long coveted him, including before he signed a three-year extension in December.

The 199cm defender-forward also had meetings with North Melbourne and St Kilda, while Collingwood has made an enquiry.

Fantasia, who is contracted until the end of 2021, is reportedly keen to return to South Australia.

The 24-year-old's family and girlfriend still live in his home state, and he has a strong relationship with Power assistant coach Nathan Bassett.

Despite significant speculation of his intent to move back to South Australia, Orazio Fantasia, who is contracted until 2021, says he is locked into remaining at Essendon in 2020.

"My family are from there but I'm really, really happy here. Unless something massive changes, I can't see it happening," Fantasia said about a potential move from the Bombers.

Orazio Fantasia has indicated a desire to return home to South Australia, with Port Adelaide believed to be his preference in that scenario.

Both the Power and Crows are aware of Fantasia's wish, but the Norwood product's longstanding relationship with Nathan Bassett has Port Adelaide in the box seat if Essendon agrees to trade him in 2019.

Fantasia played in Norwood's 2013 SANFL senior premiership team, coached by Bassett, who also mentored him in his junior days.

Bassett joined Essendon as an assistant coach soon after that Grand Final triumph, about a month before they drafted Fantasia with the No.55 selection.

"We have a really strong relationship," Fantasia said of Bassett at the time.

"Working with 'Bass' … has taught me a lot as both a player and as a person. I think I have grown and matured under him, and it is going to be good to work under him again."

Ben Stratton will face the AFL Tribunal on charges relating to pinching and stomping.

He was also fined $1000 for making an obscene gesture to the crowd – he raised his middle finger – during the Hawks' 19-point loss to Essendon at Marvel Stadium.

In relation to the pinching case, the miserly defender was charged with serious misconduct against Essendon speedster Orazio Fantasia in the first quarter.

He was charged with stomping on Bomber big man Shaun McKernan in the last quarter. Footage shows Stratton using his left foot to stomp on McKernan's right foot, after which the Don pursued Stratton.

"My actions probably weren't a great look for the game and it's probably not something you want to be known for. As captain I've got to be better and setting the example for not only the Hawthorn club but also any kids out there," Stratton said on Channel Seven.

Ben Stratton is likely to come under the glare of the Match Review Officer for his behind-the-play defensive tactics against Essendon.

Stratton appeared to pinch opponent Orazio Fantasia from the outset, continuing after the Bombers forward brought the actions to the attention of umpire Ray Chamberlain.

"I've got a couple of bruises on the arm, 'Stratts' loves to pinch and he's a really good defender," Fantasia told Channel Seven.

"To come back and play on him I knew I was in for a tough night.

"... You can't do anything about it. He's a really good defender, he's got all the tricks in the book. He's done it for years and every time I play him I know it's a tough one."

Orazio Fantasia suffers another injury setback and is set to miss 2-3 weeks with a quad strain.

Dyson Heppell will again lead Essendon in 2019 as captain, with the Bombers opting for a smaller leadership group.

Zach Merrett (vice-captain), David Myers, Joe Daniher and Orazio Fantasia have also retained their places in the leadership group from last season, however key defensive pair Michael Hurley and Cale Hooker have dropped out.

"We feel all five men bring strong and diverse qualities that will ensure the growth of the playing group across a number of values and we hope this resonates on-field too," Essendon coach John Worsfold said.

"I'd also like to acknowledge both Cale Hooker and Michael Hurley who are terrific leaders and made a strong contribution to the group last season."

Orazio Fantasia suffers a finger injury in a training accident which will affect his pre-season for several weeks.

Bombers performance manager Justin Crow said the injury should not be a major issue for the 23-year-old after he got his little finger stuck in a jumper.

"We obviously had some concern about that, so we got it scanned. His tendon is intact, which is very good news," Crow said.

"The slip around that tendon, which acts as a pulley, has been affected so you'll see Orazio in a splint over the next couple of weeks."

Orazio Fantasia signs a new two-year deal with Essendon to remain at the club until the end of 2021.

"I love this place, this is like my second family now," South Australian Fantasia said.

"The bond we share in the locker room, the love we have for each other has grown massively.

"I miss my family of course, my family come over as often as they can … I was never really looking to go home."

Bomber David Myers says his favourite player to line up on the field with is Orazio Fantasia.

"Orazio is just a star. If you saw the way he operates week to week at the club, he works incredibly hard," Myers said.

"It's no surprise he plays the standard he does. He's incredibly smart, very hard working, very clean and he's a great leader, too.

"He's been in the leadership group this year for the first time, and he's a real general for us up forward in terms of setting us up."

Orazio Fantasia is ruled out of round one due to a knee injury.

The Bombers had been hopeful of the speedy goalkicker returning to feature in this Sunday's JLT Community Series clash with Geelong.

However, after dealing with the knee problem through the pre-season, Fantasia underwent surgery on Thursday and will not face Adelaide in the Bombers' opening round clash.

"Orazio has recently had ITB friction that has been causing him knee pain and had a procedure today to address it," Essendon's high performance manager Justin Crow said.

"The intervention went to plan and following these procedures players usually take 3-4 weeks to recover."

Brendon Goddard chooses not to be part of Essendon's leadership group this season despite being voted in by his peers.

Orazio Fantasia and David Myers have joined captain Dyson Heppell, Zach Merrett, Cale Hooker, Joe Daniher and Michael Hurley in the seven-man group.

"It's wonderful to see Dyson voted back in as captain and his leadership style clearly resonates with his teammates," Essendon coach John Worsfold said.

"Dyson consistently displays care for his teammates, leads by example and is extremely driven to see this group achieve the success they are striving for."

Orazio Fantasia is unlikely to play again this season, with his right hamstring strain ruling him out until deep into September.

The 21-year-old was hurt in the opening term of last Saturday's win against Carlton at the MCG.

"It's a grade two plus, which means he's going to miss five-to-six weeks. Obviously we'll need everything to go right," Essendon high performance manager Justin Crow said.

Orazio Fantasia could be facing an uphill battle to play if the Dons make finals after suffering a suspected high-grade hamstring injury in the first quarter of the Bombers' clash with Carlton at the MCG.

Orazio Fantasia signs a new two-year deal with Essendon, which will tie the promising young forward to the club until the end of 2019.

"Essendon has such a strong culture and I'm thrilled to be a part of such a proud club," Fantasia said.

"Melbourne is my home now and I want to be a leader of this football club over the next few years."

Orazio Fantasia is the round 17 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee after making the most of his opportunities following the season-long bans handed to the 12 Essendon-listed players who took part in the Bombers' 2012 supplements program.

Fantasia, in his third season with the Bombers, set himself for a big year knowing he would get his chance to establish himself as a member of Essendon's best 22.

"With the 12 guys not being here, it was going to be a little easier to get in the side," Fantasia said.

"But as soon as I saw the verdict come out, it was heads down, bum up and get to work type stuff.

"I wanted to play every game. That was my aim if the boys were here or they weren't here."

Orazio Fantasia gathers 10 possessions and six marks (one contested) as well as kicked 3.4 in a half against the Giants, drawing praise from veteran Matthew Stokes.

"I've played for 11 years and I've never had a half like that," Stokes said.

"He worked really hard to get on the end of a few, but what was really important was all the other opportunities and space he created just with his movement and his pace and his determination to get to a contest. He drew defenders too him, which opened it up for his teammates.

"The role of small forward is the hardest role to play because you can be out of the play. Most of the time, you only get rewarded only when you put in the effort with the tackling pressure and defence, and he was fantastic in those areas."

Orazio Fantasia is the round 23 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee after gathering a career-high 27 disposals at 82 per cent efficiency in the Bombers' three-point win over the Magpies.

"Orazio is one of an exciting group of young players on our senior list, he has a tremendous work ethic, hunger to develop, and we believe this combination of attributes lays the foundations for a bright future at Essendon," Essendon's development manager Mark Neeld said.

Orazio Fantasia signs a new two-year deal with the Bombers, resisting the lure of a move back home to Adelaide.

The 19-year-old impressed during a mid-year patch of games this season before suffering a thigh injury, but has committed to trying to secure a spot in the club's best 22 until at least the end of 2017.

"Being from interstate, the lure to return home is always there but I am really enjoying my time at the Bombers," Fantasia said.

"I feel we have a really strong group of young players coming through and I am really excited about what we can achieve together over the next few years."

Orazio Fantasia makes his AFL debut for Essendon at the MCG with 9 disposals (2 kicks and 7 handballs), 2 marks and a tackle in a 18-point loss to Richmond.