HAWTHORN remains confident it can strike a deal for Shaun Burgoyne, despite Port Adelaide officials suggesting a gulf still exists between the two parties.
General manager of player personnel and strategy Chris Pelchen said Monday's discussions went quite well and that he was still confident the midfielder would cross to the Hawks this week.
"The discussions were amicable and we'll have more discussions later in the week but at this point no deal's been done," he said.
However, Power football manager Peter Rohde saw proceedings slightly differently.
"We've certainly spoken to a lot of clubs and a lot of people have shown interest in him," he said. "Now we've just got to sort out where it goes from here.
"We'll hope that we'll get a deal done as the week goes on, but we can't promise we will.
"We're confident things are moving in the right direction, but we're a fair way away from having it resolved.
"We'll be meeting again with Hawthorn in the next 24 hours and if it progresses, it progresses. If it doesn't, we're going to have to go elsewhere."
The sticking point revolves around what players the Hawks are prepared to offer in addition to a draft pick.
The Power seek the Hawks' first-round selection (No.9 overall) as well as a "good quality player".
Pelchen revealed Port Adelaide had enquired about defenders Ryan Schoenmakers and Grant Birchall and midfielder Jordan Lewis.
The Hawks are unwilling to budge on any of them, putting forward other unspecified players who Port hasn't been interested in.
Pelchen said the Hawks knew they might need to bring another club into the trade equation in order to land Burgoyne.
"If we need to introduce a third party we will – if Port would like that," Pelchen said.
"We're open to all options and to suggest that they don't like the players put forward.
"Ultimately they've asked about three players and we've declined on those three players – that's really where it's got to."
Pelchen added that the prospect of other clubs lurking hadn't encouraged him to think Burgoyne would be swayed.
"Shaun's indicated to us that he definitely wants to play with Hawthorn," he said.
"He's gone through discussions with various clubs over the last couple of weeks and has made the decision he wants to play with Hawthorn, and we're confident he will."