Essendon tried to lure retired Fremantle ruckman Aaron Sandilands in an attempt to fill its ruck void according to reports from the Herald Sun.
The 36-year-old completed a medial under the eyes of Bombers medicos, but the deal fell over when the two parties failed to agree to terms on a contract.
It’s understood that Sandilands was seeking a two-year deal to move across from Perth, but Essendon was only prepared to offer up a one-year agreement.
The 211cm ruckman announced his retirement in August and ironically his farewell game came against Essendon in Round 22 after 271 appearances over 17 seasons.
The Bombers were desperate to add another ruckman to support Tom Bellchambers after deciding to delist another former Docker in Zac Clarke.
They were linked to both Mason Cox and Patrick Ryder in the trade period, but eventually settled on Carlton’s Andrew Phillips, with the two clubs shaking hands on a trade for the first time since 2003.
Essendon handed over draft picks 57 and 70 to the Blues in exchange for Phillips, with Carlton attaching two similar selections (picks 61 and 72) to the ruckman.
