The chief executive of debt ridden Port Adelaide has quit, a day after detailing a multi-million dollar bailout which ensures the AFL club's survival.

Mark Haysman resigned as chief executive within 24 hours of the AFL-endorsed $9 million rescue plan for the cash-strapped Power.

Port will receive $3m a year until their move of home games to Adelaide Oval in 2014, a switch the club says will guarantee its financial future.

Haysman, who joined the club in October 2008, denies his resignation was a condition of the AFL rescue deal.

But the SANFL, the holder of Port's AFL licence, was known to have moved to replace Haysman in the past month.

"I reckon there is more politics in footy than there is politics," Haysman said on Friday.

"That plays out as it does.

"You have just got to keep your head down and focus on what it is you are trying to achieve and that is certainly what I have done.

"What has been out there over the last six to eight weeks hasn't been helpful. Potentially, you could argue it has been destabilising for our football club.

"All of that worked its way into my mind as I made some decisions about what to do with my life and what was next.

"One, the club doesn't need to be in destabilising environment.

"Two, I don't need that in my life. I have got other things I can do.

"As much as I have loved my time here, it's time to do something different now."

The chartered accountant said he realised when joining the club that drastic change was needed to "put Port Adelaide back together".

"When I got here, I realised there was a big change agenda that was required," he said.

"There was no holding back. That needed to be done.

"I didn't shirk any issues on behalf of this football club ... to make change can be uncomfortable."

Port Adelaide president Brett Duncanson said the club will utilise AFL networks in a nationwide search for a new chief executive, to be appointed before the end of the season.

Meanwhile, emerging Port midfielder Hamish Hartlett will play against Brisbane on Sunday knowing his season could end at any moment.

Hartlett dislocated his left shoulder during Port's loss to North Melbourne last week, but has surprisingly been cleared for the Brisbane trip.

Power coach Matthew Primus said Hartlett would be sent for season-ending surgery if the shoulder dislocated again.

"If he has another episode, we'll put him out for the season and get it operated on, so whether that is this game or in another four or five games, time will tell," Primus said on Friday.

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