Adelaide has vowed to play hardball and force a trade for departing champion Patrick Dangerfield, who is set to receive a formal six-year deal from Geelong.

The Crows say they will not accept a compensation pick - No. 14 at this stage - for Dangerfield, and intend to force the Cats to trade for the superstar, who has informed the club he intends to exercise his rights as a free agent.

Departing: Patrick Dangerfield arrives at Adelaide's end-of-season gathering at the Cumberland Arms Hotel. Credit:Getty Images

Adelaide sources indicated on Wednesday that the Crows would fight for the best possible return for Dangerfield and that the club board had approved of the decision to seek a trade, rather than accept a compensation selection under free agency.

While the Crows can match Dangerfield's contract details - Geelong have indicated they are willing to offer six years on more than $800,000 per annum - it is also possible that the matching process can be bypassed altogether, simply by Adelaide telling the Cats that they would match any deal and having the parties sit down and negotiate. Alternatively, Geelong can simply wait until the Crows match and then negotiate a trade. The only incentive for Geelong avoiding free agency