Time is running out for Swans star Ryan O'Keefe to link with a Melbourne club, and it's looking increasingly likely the talented forward will have to throw himself on the mercy of the pre-season draft.
Either Essendon or Port Adelaide would be favoured to pick up O'Keefe if the draft scenario eventuates, leaving any potential suitor only till 2pm today to hammer out a deal that suits Sydney.
News Limited reports a source close to O'Keefe has revealed Hawthorn never intended to recruit the 2005 premiership player, and that their interest was merely a fabrication.
That theory is theory supported by the premiers' sudden decision to take draft pick number 16 off the table late yesterday, after negotiating with the Swans for much of the week.
"Ryan was never going to Hawthorn, period," the source said.
"He never had any desire to play for the Hawks."
O'Keefe has told Paul Roos that he is keen to go to Carlton after knocking back a lucrative new contract with Sydney, but the Sydney mentor has indicated nothing less than a first round draft pick will suffice.
"I said to Ryan (yesterday) 'they (Carlton) better start talking to us otherwise you are going into the pre-season draft' Roos told News Limited.
"Both Essendon and Port Adelaide have indicated to us they would take him in the pre-season draft."
The chances of Carlton getting a deal done with the Swans by 2pm today appear remote, considering the Blues haven't even made an initial approach to Sydney.
"We are going to have to work on the assumption that he's going so we will start to look around now, we can't just sit on our hands," said Roos.