Essendon are said to still be in the mix for Collingwood free agent Jordan De Goey as a three-club race unfolds for the Magpies star less than 24 hours before the free agency window opens.
De Goey is the last remaining restricted free agent of 2022, having seen offers and interest arise from both Collingwood and St Kilda throughout the course of the year as he continues to weigh up his future.
A highly-documented mid-season trip to Bali resulted in Collingwood pulling a reported two-year contract offer from negotiations with the midfielder, before eventually returning to talks with a long-term deal now on offer.
A five-year contract is now understood to be on the table for De Goey to consider, however included clauses in relation to his behaviour have been included in the deal, which has left the 26-year-old hesitant to re-sign.
The situation has left the door ajar for the Saints to continue their push for the polaring Pie, while Essendon - who have previously been tied to the Ashburton product - are seen as a runner in the race for his services.
According to AFL Media reporter Damian Barrett, the Bombers haven't "given up hope" in their pursuit of De Goey.
Their interest and bid for the Collingwood midfield-forward hybrid may hinge on an announcement of their new senior coach, with former Kangaroos coach Brad Scott seen likely to land the position.
Should an appointment be confirmed soon, Essendon could look to disrupt the race for De Goey and have the in-demand free agent meet with their new senior coach to sway the 137-gamer to Tullamarine.
"The St Kilda footy club came, explored possibilities, put an offer to him (De Goey)," Barrett said on AFL Trade Radio when reflecting on De Goey's interest from across the season.
"Collingwood returned as Jordan did to the team and form, to the point where no offer became a two-year offer, became a four-year offer, became a five-year offer with certain behavioural clauses.
"St Kilda footy club (are) still hanging on to some hope, and we can tell you today the Essendon footy club hasn't given up hope even at this very late stage of potentially getting into the conversations with Jordan De Goey.
"They certainly were a club of interest during the course of the season.
"The narrowing down and the fine-tuning of their coach search, Brad Scott being interviewed today by the Bombers.
"If that was to all go well today they might be in a position to either go with him or whoever it is they want to go with in the next 24 to 48 hours publicly at least to give some clarity as to who will be the coach and to probably have a conversation with Jordan De Goey with certainly as to who their coach is next year.
"So they're the three clubs still in the mix.
"I still feel that he will wave through these behavioural cause issues with the Collingwood footy club and stay. But as we keep saying in this business until the signature is on the line, it's yet to be official."
De Goey is seen likely to earn north of $800,000 per year in his next deal after piecing together a career-best campaign in the black and white this season.
Free agency opens on Friday, September 30 and will run until 5:00pm (AEST) on Friday, October 7.
