"On Monday after Trade discussions it was apparent that Port
Adelaide were not prepared to offer a deal that would satisfy Essendon from a trade perspective. In discussions with another club the issue of compensation picks were raised which later led us to contemplate whether a contract that was in place could be annulled, along the lines of Nick Dal Santo last year, to generate a free agency compensation pick."   

"Essendon approached the AFL on Monday to get an understanding of whether that was possible.The only circumstances in which the club would contemplate this would be if Port Adelaide agreed to a further deal which would compliment the generation of an end of first round compensation pick.The situation remains that Essendon wants fair compensation for Paddy who has unarguably just had the best year of his career and as this scenario demonstrates the Club is open to explore all possibilities but the outcome must ultimately be of benefit to the club."