Gold Coast key forward Jed Walter has met with Essendon about a potential move south during the upcoming trade period later this season.
Walter allegedly met with Bombers staff only hours after the club sacked then-coach Brad Scott, according to AFL.com.au.
Scott was originally meant to be part of the interview with Walter, but after he was let go, it was Essendon president Andrew Welsh who tried to sell the dream of the 20-year-old being part of the club's future.
Essendon has a $3 million bounty to spend in its salary cap, according to Scott.
Walter comes out of contract at the end of 2026 after being selected with pick three in the 2023 national draft.
With the likes of Ben King, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, and Ethan Read taking up key forward spots in the Suns' attack, Walter is open to a move away from his home state to look for more opportunities.
Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick, earlier this week, was vocal in his desire to keep Walter at the club beyond this season.
"We personally think the best place for Jed to be is up here," he said.
"You look at our temperature today. Beautiful. You know what it's like in Melbourne? S***house. Stay here, Jed."
Since Ugle-Hagan and Read have been out of the side through injury, Walter has performed well, booting 3.1 in both of his previous two matches.
The 195cm prospect has kicked 41 goals from 36 games so far in his career.
Walter also has ties to Western Australia through family and could consider a move to the West Coast. While other Victorian rivals such as Collingwood and Hawthorn are also circling for his signature.
