Nick's Collingwood Bulletin Board

Port Adelaide's stubborn refusal to trade Nick Stevens to Collingwood was yesterday likened to a "Berlin Wall"-type barrier between Victoria and South Australia by Magpies football manager Neil Balme.

As the Power relinquished the star midfielder to the pre-season draft, maintaining it would not be "dictated to" by other clubs, Balme questioned whether Port's "siege mentality" was good business sense. "Let's say it's a half-back flanker's decision: you give away nothing, you stand your ground and you feel better about it," said Balme.

The Magpies' final offer of draft picks 17 and 35 was flatly rejected by Port Adelaide about 15 minutes before yesterday's 2pm trade deadline.