Greater Western Sydney are likely to match Geelong's offer for Jeremy Cameron after the star forward's bombshell AFL trade request.
Cameron, who has kicked 427 goals in 171 games for GWS, has told the club he is after a move to the Cats, who are preparing for Saturday night's grand final against Richmond.
The 27-year-old is a restricted free agent so GWS can force a trade if they think the free agency compensation is not substantial enough.
Giants chief executive Dave Matthews says GWS are bitterly disappointed at losing their nine-time leading goal-kicker.
A last-ditch meeting, featuring Channel Seven boss James Warburton, at a glitzy Sydney restaurant failed to convince Cameron to remain with the Giants.
"We tried to reassure him that this is the place (you want to be). Be a one-club player and finish his career here," Matthews told 3AW.
"We now go through the process, and because he's a restricted free agent it's highly likely we would match the offer from our understanding of what it's likely to be.
"Then the ball is in Geelong's court to see whether they can satisfy us through our trade.
"(Adam) Treloar and (Dylan) Shiel were two first-round picks; they're both very good players, but key forwards are hard to find."
While Cameron took his time deciding his future, many thought the 2019 Coleman medallist would remain with the Giants where he has been since the start of his AFL career in 2012.
Geelong will be a frightening proposition for rival clubs with Cameron set to team up with this year's Coleman medallist, Cats forward Tom Hawkins.
Matthews believed Geelong had been targeting Cameron for a "number of years".
"We've probably felt this might have been where it was heading, particularly when you see (Cats chief executive) Brian Cook come out (and speak about Cameron last week), which is an unusual thing to do," Matthews said.
Cameron struggled this season, as did GWS, kicking just 24 goals - down from a career-high 76 last year.
But the 27-year-old is one of the game's most dangerous forwards when firing and played a key role in the Giants making their first grand final last year.
There are only seven active AFL players with more career goals than Cameron, including Hawkins (603) and Sydney champion Lance Franklin (944).
It continues a concerning exodus at the expansion club, with Cameron joining defenders Zac Williams and Aidan Corr and midfielder Jackson Hately in requesting trades away from the Giants since their season ended last month.
Veteran defender Heath Shaw hasn't been offered a new contract, while ruckman Sam Jacobs has retired.
With Cameron departing, only Phil Davis, Callan Ward, Nick Haynes, Stephen Coniglio, Toby Greene will be left on the Giants' list from their inaugural season in 2012.
JEREMY CAMERON
Age: 27
Games: 171
Goals: 427
Debut: Round 1, 2012 v Sydney
Achievements: Coleman Medal (2019), All-Australian (2013, 2019), Giants best-and-fairest winner (2013), nine-time Giants leading goal-kicker (2012-20)
Australian Associated Press
