Greater Western Sydney key forward Jake Riccardi is likely to nominate Essendon as the club he wants to play for in 2027 and beyond.
The 26-year-old is originally from Victoria and was an Essendon fan growing up.
Riccardi is out of contract at the end of the season and while the Giants have offered a two-three year deal for him to stay, Nine is reporting that he wants to leave.
The motivations for his departure consist of his desire for more opportunities as a primary key forward, while it is almost certain that he would land a more lucrative contract at the Bombers than the Giants.
Riccardi has kicked 124 goals from 98 games for GWS, with the 198cm forward booting 14 majors from his nine matches in 2026.
He would help provide support to emerging Essendon star Nate Caddy who has an abundance of talent, but is a lone wolf in the Bombers' forward line.
Ruck-forward Peter Wright showed signs of working well alongside Caddy in 2026, but injuries and form have plagued Wright's potential throughout his career.
A Bombers forward line of Caddy, Riccardi and Wright presents as a much more threatening prospect for Essendon fans in 2027.
For the Giants, it is yet another experienced player who is expected to exit this off-season in a major overhaul of their list.
Riccardi is now expected to join the likes of skipper Toby Greene (Geelong), Jesse Hogan (Collingwood), Kieren Briggs (Richmond), Jake Stringer and possibly Harry Himmelberg and Lachie Whitfield out of the door.
