Essendon's early season struggles have led premiership captain Chris Judd to suggest that they should pursue Port Adelaide midfielder Ollie Wines in the off-season.
Wines will become a restricted free agent at the end of the 2018 season and Judd believes that Essendon could lure the 23-year-old to his home of Victoria.
"If I was Essendon I'd be throwing the kitchen sink at Ollie Wines. He's out of contract this year, he brings leadership, he's from Victoria and he might want to come home," Judd told Chanel 9'sย Footy Classified.
"I'd be making sure that if I was Essendon, I'd be in the front of his mind."
Footy Classifiedย co-host Matthew Lloyd pointed out the Bombers flaws, to which Judd agreed that Wines could alleviate a number of them.
"They've got issues in their back end with their ball movement, issues in the midfield with obviously their ball winners and their forward line just does not apply pressure," Lloyd said.
"The overuse of handballs in the back line was a big issue, I think Fantasia helps when he comes back in their forward line, in terms of their pressure. I think stoppages - while they were almost even on the weekend - that's still a big, glaring issue for them," Judd said.
The West Coast legend clarified that he does not believe Wines would part ways with Port Adelaide, but it is worth inquiring about a midfield talent like him.
"I don't think Ollie Wines will leave Port Adelaide but I'd be certainly asking the question if he does want to come home [to Victoria].
