Essendon captain Zach Merrett's desired move to Hawthorn is looking "really unlikely" to unfold with just 36 hours left in the trade period, with the Hawks a chance to look elsewhere before Wednesday night's deal deadline.
Merrett is yet to formally lodge a trade request to the Hawks, who haven't tabled an offer to Essendon for the six-time best and fairest.
The Bombers have stood strong that Merrett won't be traded, regardless of what is offered by Hawthorn, who will need to package at least two good first-round picks and more to even earn Essendon's interest.
Merrett spoke with key club figures on Monday, according to Trade Radio's Sam Edmund, who has stated an agreement between Essendon and their arch rival looks "a long, long, long shot".
"Last night I heard it's a long, long, long shot," Edmund said on Tuesday morning of the Merrett deal. "I was told yesterday that there might be some movement and something to discuss.
"He had talks at The Hangar yesterday with a range of Essendon officials. I don't know (what was said), but it happened.
"It has always been unlikely, but I think it's really unlikely now. There's been no Hawthorn offer, no indication of what they've been prepared to give."
Hawthorn had Melbourne superstar Christian Petracca in their sights earlier in the off-season as a potential plan B option if Merrett turned his back on wanting to leave the Bombers.
With Petracca set to move to the Gold Coast as early as Tuesday, the Hawks will need to look elsewhere if they want to bolster their midfield pack, which is home to Jai Newcombe, Will Day, Josh Ward, Cameron Mackenzie and Conor Nash, and has just lost James Worpel to Geelong.
A report from The Age has suggested Collingwood midfielder Jordan De Goey has emerged as a potential trade option for rival clubs if the right offer is tabled to the Magpies.
A first-round pick of good value would likely need to be sent to Collingwood, with the Hawks holding Carlton's opening selection for next month's draft, which currently comes in at Pick 9.
It is not yet known if De Goey, who is contracted until the end of 2027, is open to leaving Olympic Park this off-season.
Other midfield options seen as attainable in the trade period are North Melbourne captain Jy Simpkin and St Kilda skipper Jack Steele.
Sydney's James Rowbottom is expected to remain in New South Wales despite speaking with Magpies coach Craig McRae in recent days, while Bailey Humphrey will be a Gold Coast player in 2026.
The 2025 Trade Period deadline is set for 7:30pm (AEDT).
