Burgoyne Trade to Alter Draft

Shaun Burgoyne will not be coming back to Port Adelaide. Mark Williams has admitted as much in his article on the AFL website and Burgoyne and his management have met with representatives from Essendon, Hawthorn and Melbourne as his preferred destinations in Melbourne where he is determined to move his career.

The decision of Burgoyne is set to be the most draft-shaping player movement since Chris Judd left Carlton two seasons ago.

The highly talented but inconsistent midfielder suffered an injury-plagued 2009 season and is now looking for a new opportunity - one that seems certain to cost his preferred club at least a first round draft pick.

Port’s history of playing hard-ball on player trades should see them demand a high price for their star who is considered as good a player as any on the Port Adelaide list.

Melbourne would find it easiest to accommodate Burgoyne given they hold picks 1, 2 and 18 in the draft and have plenty of room in their salary cap - although the fact that Burgoyne is not worth a pick 1 or 2 may complicate this picture. Essendon have money and pick 10 and Hawthorn seem an unlikely destination with little room in their salary cap and pick 9.