Essendon senior coach Brad Scott has confirmed there is some truth to a recent report that Dylan Shiel may exit the club following the 2025 season, but denied that his departure is already mutually agreed upon.
Shiel has fallen in and out of the Bombers senior side this season, featuring in just 13 games, though he has managed a respectable 20.6 disposals and 3.0 clearances in those fixtures.
The 32-year-old put together one of his best performances of the season in Thursday night's loss to Carlton, collecting 30 disposals, eight marks and 448 metres gained, as well as six score involvements.
Scott addressed the report post-game, admitting that he and Shiel have regularly discussed his future beyond 2025, and revealed that Shiel is not the only player having discussions about the potential of not being re-signed.
"Dylan and I talk about it all the time, it's not my understanding [that it's confirmed]," Scott said on Thursday night.
"I've given Dylan all the scenarios that he needs, in terms of that we can't guarantee a position for him next year. This has been a discussion that we've had regularly throughout the season.
"There are a number of other players I've had the discussion with. I don't want to go into all of them individually.
"He's been fantastic, Dylan, in terms of his attitude. He understands the position the club is in, and he understands the position that he's in and that there are no guarantees.
"It certainly hasn't been locked in. The conversation has been we can't guarantee him a position on the list next year."
Essendon face a tough off-season, with several players recovering from significant injuries, while other star players appear to be considering departures, including star ruck Sam Draper, who has been tied to a move to either Brisbane or Adelaide.
However, Scott is hopeful the club can capitalise on the AFL experience handed to the bulk of their playing list this season as a result of the intense count of injury woes.
"The exciting thing for our fans, as frustrating as this is right now, is that Angus Clarke played one of his better games for the year," Scott said.
"We as a coaching staff are looking to them (the young players) to play major roles for us. They're not just support acts.
"Clearly, there's a lot of personnel not there, but I think we start next year with every player except one has played AFL footy on our list this year. Every player next year will start thinking they're a really good chance to be in our best side.
"That, by definition, should make us stronger, but it won't necessarily make us better unless we capitalise on the exposure to the youth that we've been able to get out there this year."
Essendon will conclude their season against Gold Coast next Wednesday night in the rescheduled fixture from Opening Round, hoping to play spoiler by snapping their 12-game losing streak and securing an upset win.
