ADELAIDE defender Michael Doughty has described Phil Davis' decision to leave Adelaide and join Greater Western Sydney next season as a "monetary" one.

On Tuesday, Davis became the first uncontracted player to publicly pledge his allegiance to GWS.

The 20-year-old, who only played 18 games in three years with the Crows, admitted the money on offer from the Giants had played a role in his decision, but denied it had been the sole reason he'd agreed to join the Giants.

Doughty didn't hide his disappointment when asked about Davis' defection, saying the AFL had created an environment in which young players were being paid well above what they deserved.

"There's a bit of angst in the group, but Phil's made his decision, which can only be said is a monetary one," Doughty said on Tuesday afternoon.

"The club is very disappointed and the players are very disappointed … but it's not the young kid's fault. At the end of the day, the AFL has set up the system the way it is. "

The AFL has given these teams more money. GWS are going to go after the best young players and Phil's a good young player.

"He's played 20 games and he's been offered money that is almost unrefusable."

Doughty's comments follow those made by Adelaide football operations manager Phil Harper, who revealed the Crows had submitted an offer "well in excess of any offer to an 18-game player in the club's history" to Davis' management, and still weren't in the same ball park as GWS.

"We live in a ridiculously inflated market for AFL players," Harper said.

Harper was adamant Adelaide had done everything possible to convince Davis to stay, including setting up meetings with chief executive Steven Trigg, chairman Rob Chapman and caretaker coach Mark Bickley, and also making a two-hour presentation to the talented defender about the direction of the club.

Doughty said the players had also tried to influence the centre half-back's decision.

"There have been some rumours and speculation, but we didn't know until last week that Phil was seriously thinking about it," he said.

"Plenty of players have spoken to him about the young group that we've got, which in the next two or three years if they develop right will be an exciting group.

"You play football to win premierships and I think they [GWS] are going to be a long way off that. At the end of the day, Phil's made his decision on the money aspect.

"We accept his decision. We don't agree with it, but we'll move on and be stronger without him."

The Crows will now turn their attention to ensuring they don't lose any more uncontracted players to rival clubs.

Taylor Walker has been repeatedly linked to GWS, but it's understood the newcomers never approached him, and that he will remain at Adelaide.

Former best and fairest winner Bernie Vince is also out of contract and rumoured to be in the sights of several Victorian-based clubs, including Collingwood and Essendon.

"I've been speaking to Bernie's manager," Harper said.

"We're having a meeting this week and talks are progressing, so I'm confident Bernie will stay in Adelaide."

The club has also put offers to key defender Daniel Talia, who will be groomed as a replacement for Davis, and promising young players Andy Otten and Shaun McKernan.

Davis is the second key-position defender Adelaide has lost to expansion teams in the last 12 months, with All Australian centre half-back Nathan Bock having walked out on the club last year to join Gold Coast.

Doughty said the depature of the 28-year-old had been easier to accept than the defection of Davis.

"We haven't seen the best of Phil and we're not going to see it, that's probably the most disappointing part," he said.

"I'm sure he'll be a great player at Greater Western but I'm sure he would've been a better player at our football club."

Katrina Gill covers Adelaide news for afl.com.au. Follow her on Twitter: @AFL_KatrinaGill