Brendan Fevola may well get a second chance at an AFL club – but it may not be the club that picks him that wishes to see him return.

Port Adelaide, already struggling this off-season with the loss of their two major sponsors in ‘My ATM’ and ‘Soaring Securities’, and the revelation by the Adelaide Advertiser that the former allegedly owes the debt ridden club $350,000, has reportedly been made an offer it may be unable to refuse by minor sponsor, VIP Home Services.

Bill Vis, founder of the company, has reportedly offered to upgrade their contribution from minor to major sponsor for the 2012 season. For the Power, this is a no brainer – take the money and security now.

However, VIP has a demand in return for its involvement. The caveat is that the club draft former Magpie Leon Davis and former Blues and Lions full forward Brendan Fevola.

The Power have responded to this public offer by firstly thanking the company for their ongoing support and involvement, but giving nothing away as to their intensions with the pair.

Neon Leon seems a certain pick by the power in this years preseason draft, however the Fevola, touted by most on AFL’s outer as a poisoned chalice, is far less certain to be picked by the Power.

Whether or not the company decides to play hardball on this deal could prove to be the real catalyst in Fev’s third chance at an AFL career. The Power are clearly not in a position to be haggling over sponsorship dollars.

However if the gardening and landscaping business refuses to budge from its position, will the Power be forced into drafting him?

It’s an interesting position to be in, where a club is being influenced not so much by the dollars – modern sports is all about doing what’s right for your bottom line – but being influenced by an outside agent.

Vis claims his statement made on Tuesday purely concerns the pulling power of the champion pair, claiming they will both draw greater crowds to games. For a sponsor, it is only responsible to make sure they get a certain return on their heavy investment.

The club could also undoubtedly use the extra bums in seats on game day, but at what price? Fevola will occupy a nice place in experienced Port Adelaide forward line, but at the expense of tried and true forward Jay Shultz and up and coming John Butcher.

More importantly, drafting Fevola purely to increase sponsorship will mean the proud club will essentially have sold out.

I still find it hard to imagine Port prostituting itself in such a way – the supporter base and members simply wont stand for it – but come preseason draft, if the Power don’t have another major sponsor waiting in the wings, will Fevola simply become a bargaining chip in a wider deal?

For him, it won’t matter, as a return to football should be his only focus. However for the club involved, it could be an act of desperation, and drafting Fevola might simply be a means to an end.