It has been revealed that Melbourne has agreed to pay a portion of Jack Watt's salary at Port Adelaide.
Watts, who played 153 games and kicked 143 goals for the Demons, was traded to the Power for pick 31 in the upcoming National Draft.
Melbourne CEO Peter Jackson told SEN on Tuesday morning that the Demons will pay "about 15 per cent" of Watts' salary, which has two years left to run.
Melbourne was left with little alternatives after receiving minimal interest for the former No. 1 pick, forcing their hand to accommodate Port Adelaide's request.
"The only football club that spoke to us about a deal in any real terms was Port Adelaide", Jackson said.
"Geelong made an enquiry and the offer they were mooting, we would have been crucified by Melbourne supporters if we had have accepted that.
"There was one club making one offer at the end of the day, I think that does say something."
Watts, who finished 21st in the Melbourne best and fairest, met with Port Adelaide, Sydney and Geelong before settling on the Power as his new home.
Jackson admitted that Melbourne fans were not overly thrilled about the Watts trade, saying "350-400" fans had contacted the club to express their feeling towards the move.
Ruthless was the word that Jackson repeatedly used when discussing their former No. 1 draft pick, taking a parting shot at Watts saying that was a quality he did not possess.
"Jack's not a ruthless guy, he's not a ruthless person when he plays football, he's a great guy, we all love him," Jackson said.
"I think there's a strong argument that he might be better off where he's in another place and not Jack Watts at the Melbourne Football Club, where he's just another player.
"He hasn't been that No.1 draft pick, his performance and stats don't indicate he was a No.1 draft pick, and if he wasn't, there wouldn't be that pressure on him.
"I think (the move) is a good thing for him."
