Port Adelaide have ruled out selecting Leon Davis in next week's pre-season draft, possibly ending the former Collingwood player's AFL career.
Davis walked out on Collingwood after they lost the Grand Final in October, initially saying he wanted to play in his native Western Australia, or South Australia where his wife originates from.
However, there were reports that 2011 All Australian defender Davis was unhappy with the contract he'd been offered by the Magpies and felt he could do better elsewhere.
But with Fremantle, West Coast and Adelaide showing no interest in him, Port Adelaide appeared the last hope for 30-year-old Davis to resurrect his AFL career.
But that door was slammed shut on Wednesday morning.
"We've had a lot of discussion about Leon as we have worked through all the options," said Power football manager Peter Rohde on the club's website.
"Leon has been a great footballer, but on balance we have decided that he's not the best fit for the direction we are taking as a football club."
"With our decision now made and speculation arising from Leon's confirmed nomination for the pre-season draft, it's the right time to declare our intention not to go with him."
"Leon wants to continue playing football at some level, and we wish him every success."
The decision could come at a significant cost for the cash-strapped club as an Adelaide company, VIP Home Services, had offered close to one million dollars per year as sponsorship if Port picked up either Davis or Brendan Fevola.
The decision could also have football repercussions as well, for Port fans will presumably question the club's direction with its youth policy if the Power continue to linger towards the bottom of the ladder.
In other Power news, Jackson Trengove and Jay Schulz were reportedly involved in a scuffle at training on Wednesday morning.