Key forward Michael Wundke poised to join Eagles after shock exit from South Adelaide

DUAL Ken Farmer Medallist Michael Wundke has walked out on South Adelaide - and appears headed for Woodville-West Torrens.

DUAL Ken Farmer Medallist Michael Wundke has walked out on South Adelaide - and appears headed for Woodville-West Torrens.

Wundke, who booted 180 goals for South from 2011-13, informed the Panthers he would not be renewing his contract, which expired at the end of the season.

In a statement, South chief executive Evan Arnold said the club had left "no stone unturned" in trying to retain Wundke yet he had accepted a "long-term deal with the Eagles that provides him with financial security that is not reliant on Michael playing and performing for his new club".

But a Woodville-West Torrens source denied the club had signed the 25-year-old spearhead.

The source said the club was simply in advanced talks with Wundke.

Arnold said Wundke put off contract talks until the end of the season and the club made a "lengthy and detailed presentation" to him last Friday.

Arnold said South, which starts pre-season training under new coach Brad Gotch on Friday, would "explore all options" to find a replacement key forward.

"It's disappointing," he told the Southern Times Messenger.

"We've been talking to a number of senior players today and while they are disappointed as well because Michael has turned his back on a number of friends here at the footy club, it's probably galvanised them to push on and achieve the things the group want to achieve together.

"We're also really confident that the style of football we're going to play next year is going to be less reliant on individuals and more reliant on team-based offence and defence."

Wundke joined South from North Adelaide in 2011.

His departure follows South re-signing a string of key players, including Magarey Medallist Joel Cross and this year's best and fairest Nick Liddle.

If Wundke does move to Oval Ave he will reunite with former South forward Andrew Ainger, who booted 50 goals for the Eagles this year.