Western Bulldogs president Peter Gordon pointed to contract law, pig shooting and the bonds of friendship as he held out hope Ryan Griffen would change his mind.
Bulldogs captain Griffen is yet to tell the AFL club whether a new coach will have any impact on his request to be traded to Greater Western Sydney.
Indeed, he is yet to speak to Gordon since explaining on Wednesday night that he wanted out.
"It's been a big 36 hours. The last information I had was he (Griffen) had gone pig shooting yesterday afternoon," Gordon said while announcing coach Brendan McCartney's departure on Friday.
"I don't know whether he is imagining they're me, but hopefully he shoots a few and comes back - there's always possibilities of discussions."
Griffen has a year to run on his contract and Gordon said in a statement on Thursday that he club had "no intention of indulging" the two-time club champion.
Gordon on Friday praised Griffen's leadership and courage to confront club officials about his McCartney misgivings last month.
But the former partner at law firm Slater & Gordon noted the club remained "distressed and disturbed" over the past few days.
And Gordon will have no qualms about forcing Griffen to stay against his will.
"Part of the stand we've taken in regard to Ryan Griffen is to say - if I may put my lawyer's hat on - what the High Court has recently said," he said.
"That an agreement is an agreement.
"And it has legal effect and people ought to think seriously before they sign them.
"Because when they sign them, they're bound by them.
"We hope that he will see his way clear to honour the obligations that he undertook when he executed that contract."
Gordon admitted there would be a range of people at Whitten Oval who decide how the Griffen saga unfolds.
On top of the tough love, there was also plenty of adulation for Griffen in Gordon's press conference that lasted almost 30 minutes.
"2015 ought to be a great year for him ... I hope he wins the Brownlow medal, I hope he's playing for us when he does," he said.
"As a position of principle, he's a much loved player and a required player.
"I'd hate to see (Griffen) ... leave in these circumstances.
"(He) is so loved by everyone at the club ... (and most of his) friends are still here and would desperately love him to stay."
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