Essendon list boss Adrian Dodoro says the club isn’t open to trading “required player” Dylan Shiel – nor has it discussed it – despite the midfielder being strongly linked to a move to St Kilda, also revealing the Bombers have tabled a six-year deal to free agent Ben McKay.
The Bombers are set to be among the most active teams this trade period as they seek to use their war chest of salary cap space, with free agents McKay, Jade Gresham and Todd Goldstein all set to join the club.
Shiel has meanwhile been rumoured to be moving to St Kilda in something of a salary dump if Essendon can offer the Saints free agent Gresham a big enough contract to trigger first-round compensation.
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However asked at Monday’s trade period launch at AFL House if the Bombers were open to trading Shiel, Dodoro said: “No. I think Dylan is still very much a required Essendon player.”
Dodoro added that there hadn’t been any discussions around Shiel “from the Essendon Football Club’s point of view.”
Dodoro also confirmed Gresham had nominated the Bombers and said hoped he’d officially join the club in the coming days.
“He’s certainly nominated us and we’re just working through some details. Hopefully we’ll lodge some paperwork in the next 24 hours, I’d imagine,” he said.
“He’s a talented player that plays half forward and on ball, it’s a need we’re looking to fill. So if we’re fortunate to get him, that’d be great, but there’s a free agency process and they can match the bid.”
As for McKay, both Essendon will North Melbourne will eagerly await what compensation the key defender’s six-year deal with the Bombers results in.
“We’ve submitted the paperwork this morning, we’re yet to know whether there’ll be a matched bid or not. I’ve got no idea what the herbs and spices are, I don’t think anyone knows. It’s a six-year deal,” Dodoro said.
North Melbourne list manager Brady Rawlings confirmed that if his club doesn’t get Pick 3 for losing McKay, it’ll match the restricted free agent’s offer.
“We’ll be matching. It’s pretty clear,” the Roos list boss said.
“We’ve said it all along. We’re not accepting end of first round compensation for a 25-year-old key defender in our leadership group. If it’s (start of) first round it’s a different story.”
In what’ll Dodoro’s last trade period as Essendon list boss before Matt Rosa rakes over the role, the long-time Bombers servant cheekily noted with a laugh to “expect the unexpected.”
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One Bomber set to depart the club is defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, who’s requested a trade to Port Adelaide to return to his native South Australia.
While a report claimed the Bombers have set an asking price of a first-round pick for Zerk-Thathcer, Dodoro said there hasn’t been an dialogue with the Power yet surrounding the 25-year old.
“We haven’t had a discussion with Port Adelaide yet. Contrary to what you may have heard last week, it was actually not factual. There’s been no discussion with Port at all,” he said.
“It depends if there might be players involved, but it’s certainly something we’ll talk to Port about. We actually hold him in extremely high regard, we have a three-year deal on the table and we don‘t want to lose him, simple as that.”
Port Adelaide’s Xavier Duursma is another name that’s been linked to Essendon – potentially in a trade for Zerk-Thatcher – with the former Pick 18 having reportedly toured the club’s Tullamarine facilities
Though Dodoro confirmed the Bombers have spoken to Duursma, he said they were still awaiting the 23-year old to make a call on his future.
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Essendon also expects Goldstein’s free agency move to the Bombers to be “pretty imminent.”
It means Essendon will have three rucks on their list – Goldstein, Sam Draper and Nick Bryan – for 2024 as the club will again under Brad Scott play two ruckmen without a specific plan on who will lead the charge.
“I think that’s something that will be done pretty soon. Paperwork has been lodged this morning, so Todd will be an Essendon player by this afternoon.
“The intention is to have a great ruck combination. We’ve got two really good young ruckmen in Sam Draper and Nick Bryan.
“‘Goldy’ (Goldstein) still has the opportunity to play league footy, form will determine it. I don‘t think anyone’s got a right over the number one ruck spot. If he’s the best going around, and in form, he’ll get the opportunity.”
Dodoro added that Draper’s groin injury that needed surgery and is set to hamper his pre-season “didn’t affect” the club’s bid for Goldstein.
“We just wanted to have a good ruck combination going forward and particularly an experienced ruckman … Brad likes to play two rucks and that’s the way he structures up,” he said.
“It’s part of our DNA as a team. We also feel ‘Drapes’ (Draper) can go forward and play as a robust big forward at times. I think it’ll just add another string to the team.
“I think Todd will really help young Bryan in running patterns and professionalism and what have you. From all reports, the operation with ‘Drapes’ was successful and he’ll be available for Round 1 next year.”
