Port Adelaide says it will play hardball with ace midfielder Shaun Burgoyne and will have the ultimate say in which club he is traded to.
The Adelaide Advertiser has reported that Power football operations manager Peter Rohde declared: ""The final decision will be ours, not Shaun's"".
""Obviously we'll take into consideration where Shaun wants to go but in the end we need to do what's best for us,"" Rohde said.
After walking out on Port last week saying he wants to move to Melbourne for family reasons, Burgoyne is believed to be close to announcing which club he wants to go to.
It is reported he is leaning towards Hawthorn or the Bombers with media speculating the Hawks are more likely to secure the 26-year-old former All-Australian.
Burgoyne has also met with the Melbourne Demons who have the advantage of having the No. 1 selection at the pre-season draft if he cannot orchestrate the trade he wants.
""There's been no progression since late last night with Shaun,"" Rohde said.
""We expect to hear something in the next day or so and then we'll move forward. He'll nominate his preferred option and then we'll talk to them or anyone else who wants to talk to us.
""We've had a few clubs talk to us already but no-one's got down to any (trade) details yet, so we'll see what transpires.""
The Advertiser says the Bombers could offer midfielder Andrew Lovett as trade bait for Burgoyne. Lovett is looking for a fresh start and Essendon has agreed to facilitate a trade.
Essendon also has selection No.10 in the November draft but the club has not commented on whether it would part with its first-round selection.
Hawthorn has said publicly it is prepared to offer its first-round selection (No.9 overall) and another pick for Burgoyne. Port is understood to want premiership midfielder Jordan Lewis but he appears off limits.
""The bottom line is that we will not give Shaun away easily,"" Rohde said.
""Either Shaun can convince us to deal him to the club of his choice or we can convince him to deal with another club that suits us.""
Essendon general manager of football operations Paul Hamilton recently said on essendonfc.com.au that the club has had fruitful discussions with Burgoyne.
""Now we just have to wait and see if he wants to come to the Bombers and if we can secure a suitable deal,"" he said.
To purchase tickets to the 30th September, 2009 Crichton Medal click here or to book a ticket to the annual The Long Walk - 2009 Women's Luncheon on 9th October click here.
