AS THE AFL's inaugural Gillette Free Agency Period clock ticks down towards Friday's 5pm deadline, former Port Adelaide midfielder Steven Salopek remains hopeful he will find a new home.

The unrestricted free agent has been waiting for a call, but gets the sense any deal is going to go right down to the wire.

"I haven't actually met with anyone, I'm not sure what to think about that. It doesn't really faze me. I've got my objective and my goal just to obviously get myself into as best condition as I possibly can," Salopek, 27, said.

"It's been intriguing, although it's been pretty nerve wracking. It's also been pretty exciting because it is the unknown. Hopefully we can find somewhere."

Salopek spoke to AFL.com.au just minutes after a four-and-a-half hour bike ride through Melbourne's Dandenong Ranges, evidence of his determination to get another chance at the highest level.

"Just doing everything that I possibly can to stay fit, and hopefully get that opportunity if it arises," he said. 

For a reason he still doesn't know, Salopek spent the entirety of the 2012 home and away season playing in the SANFL.

"I honestly don't know, I presented myself and trained as good as I ever have during the pre-season. What happened happened and I'm looking forward to the future now."

Salopek has moved home to Melbourne with his family while he waits to see what happens, but is prepared to move anywhere to continue his career.

Salopek said his fitness is one of his best attributes but he also has more to offer.

"I still think I've got the ability to run and obviously with the rotations and the way football is going these days, it's super important to have players that can run out games," he said. 

"I think the older I get the more I enjoy the tactical side of the way the game's going."

Salopek played 121 games for the Power over a decade at the club.

Matt Thompson is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter @Matt ThompsonAFL