COLLINGWOOD last night confirmed that All-Australian defender Leon Davis had informed the club, via his management, that he wished to stay in Perth and would no longer play for the Magpies.

Collingwood football operations chief Geoff Walsh said Davis's manager, Liam Pickering, had told the club that Davis did not wish to return to Melbourne.

Leon Davis and Andrew Krakouer. Credit:Pat Scala

Walsh said the club was still hoping to speak directly to Davis, who had been the subject of discussions with West Coast and Fremantle during the trade period. Neither of the Perth teams, however, opted to pursue the 30-year old defender, who, remarkably, could even play with a WAFL team the year after he was selected in the All-Australian team as a small defender.

''At this stage, we are waiting to hear from him directly, Nathan [Buckley] or myself,'' Walsh said, declining to comment on the specifics of contract discussions with Davis.