With just five rounds to go until the end of their season, Essendon have a plethora of crucial list decisions to make — first and foremost, around their in-demand ruck.

And elsewhere, Melbourne have reignited interest in a Giant still yet to make their AFL debut after more than three years.

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MAJOR LIST CALLS LOOM AT TULLAMARINE AS DONS STAND GROUND ON BIG MAN’S OFFER

Amid an unprecedented injury crisis at Essendon this year, lay a number of critical contract calls that look set to shape how Brad Scott’s club attack future seasons.

With well over a dozen players out of contract for season 2026 and injury preventing them from gaining an optimal read on the ceiling of their list, the Bombers are stuck in a precarious position.

The most publicised player out of contract at the club is Sam Draper, who has enticing offers from both Adelaide and Brisbane trying to lure him out of Tullamarine.

Like many of his teammates, Draper has been sidelined with injury — his more unfortunate than most however, after rupturing his Achilles tendon in Round 6 against West Coast.

As reported by The Age’s Jake Niall on Sunday morning, Essendon have not moved on the length of their contract offer for Draper — a four-year deal. The Crows and Lions are understood to have an extra year on the table for the 205cm ruck, which could be critical in whether or not Draper stays or goes.

Veteran teammates such as Dylan Shiel, Todd Goldstein and Jayden Laverde are all without a contract beyond 2025, while recent mainstays Will Setterfield and Ben Hobbs are competing with a group of mid-season draftees who have impressed since making their AFL debut.

Dons slump to 7th straight loss vs GWS | 02:10

DEES RE-IGNITE BULLISH CHASE OF UNCAPPED GIANT
After a hard and fast effort to swoop on him in last year’s trade period, Melbourne are once again bullish on trading uncapped GWS player Wade Derksen.

Seven’s Xander McGuire reports that the Demons are “ramping up” their efforts to make the 24-year-old their own, after failing to strike a trade in last year’s off-season.

Derksen had one year remaining on his contract in 2024, with the Giants holding him to the deal as any meaningful trade discussions stalled.

“The Dees have ramped up their efforts to convince him to don the red and blue next year in recent weeks … Melbourne are leading the pack,” McGuire said on-air on Saturday night.

Taken by the Giants in the 2022 Mid-Season Draft, Derksen is yet to represent the orange and charcoal in over three years at the club, however has been a notable performer in their VFL side throughout.

The 24-year-old utility is one of nine GWS players still without a contract next season, with the club locking away most of their talent before the halfway point of this season.