Essendon has interest in a Bulldog and a Sun – and would be “much more open” to trading Zach Merrett this year. Plus two Victorian clubs linked to a breakout Eagles free agent.

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FRESH DONS INTEREST IN RIVAL DUO AS MERRETT MOVE GATHERS STEAM

Essendon has interest in a Bulldog and a Sun – and would be “much more open” to trading Zach Merrett at season’s end compared to last year, reports 7News Melbourne’s Mitch Cleary.

The Bombers will be one of the big storylines of the off-season, with the club set to have one of the earliest picks in the national draft – potentially Pick 1 — while it could look to negotiate the exits of Merrett and Jordan Ridley, who both entertained rival-club moves during last year’s trade period but ultimately stayed at Essendon.

The club remains on the hunt for a new coach after Brad Scott was sacked in late May.

Speaking on The Agenda Setters on Wednesday night, Cleary said Merrett would likely seek a trade again “despite what happens with the coach”, adding the Bombers “will be much more open to trading him this October than they were last October”.

Meanwhile, the Bombers are a club to “watch closely”, according to Cleary, in the race for Bulldog Arty Jones, who remains unsigned beyond this season.

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Jones, who’s in the middle of a career-best AFL season with 12 goals from 10 games, has a contract offer from the Bulldogs, as well as rival interest from West Coast.

But Cleary said the Bombers were also in the mix for 22-year-old Jones, who’ll use the Bulldogs’ bye period “to work through his future”.

“They’re obviously looking to bolster their front half. He’s a player in the right age demographic for the Essendon footy club,” Cleary told Channel 7.

“With Zach Merrett potentially heading for the exit door, they’re going to have first-round picks to work with to lure a player like Arty Jones.”

And you can add Essendon to the list of clubs interested in fringe Gold Coast midfielder Alex Davies, who played six games this season before suffering a foot injury that has kept him sidelined since Round 9.

Foxfooty.com.au reported last month that Davies, whose Suns contract expires at the end of the year, was “more open to the idea of a move away from Carrara at season’s end”.

Cleary on Wednesday night said “there’s a few clubs in Victoria” looking at Davies.

“He’s a bit of a forgotten man at the Gold Coast Suns,” Cleary said.

Mitchell shuts down rival club rumours | 01:19

“Essendon you can put in that conversation. St Kilda, we know they’re having a look also at Lachie Neale, but if they miss on someone like Lachie Neale, a player like Alex Davies won’t come too expensive.

“If he doesn’t get an opportunity in the second half of the year, he’s looking for the exit door.”

TWO CLUBS KEEPING TABS ON BREAKOUT EAGLE

Much-improved Eagle Bailey Williams has attracted interest from at least two Victorian clubs, reports AFL Media’s Riley Beveridge.

The West Coast ruck has been one of his club’s most improved players this season, taking over from Matt Flynn as the Eagles’ No. 1 ruck to play 10 games and average a career-high 13.8 disposals, 11.0 contested possessions, 5.1 clearances and 26.0 hit-outs.

But Williams remains unsigned beyond this season and is eligible to exercise free agency rights.

AFL Media reported on Wednesday that Geelong was “among the sides keen on Williams”, while the Western Bulldogs were “also monitoring his situation”.

Williams, 26, has played 98 games since being drafted out of the Dandenong Stingrays with Pick 35 in the 2018 national draft.

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Speaking with foxfooty.com.au earlier this month, Williams said the new AFL ruck rules suited his style and credited the Eagles’ medical team for helping him overcome off-season osteitis pubis.

Williams’ rise helped West Coast to four wins by Round 12 – a feat the club hadn’t achieved since 2021.

“I think over the next few years, sky’s the limit – honestly (for the club),” he told foxfooty.com.au.

“I think the turn, the form we’ve hit as a club, we’re starting to gel – I’m honestly really excited for what we can produce the rest of the season and the next couple of years.”