Joe Daniher's contract saga is set to dominate headlines throughout the season as the out-of-contract Bomber enters free agency at the end of 2020.

The 26-year old's trade request to the Swans fell through last October as he now plays out the final year of his contract at Essendon.

Port Adelaide games record holder Kane Cornes has suggested five clubs that should pursue Daniher, believing Sydney should pull out of the race given their myriad of injuries to key forwards.

Speaking on Channel Nine's Footy Classified, Cornes explained that with Sam Reid and Lance Franklin banged up, Sydney would be unwise to target the injury-prone Daniher.

"You can't have Reid, Franklin and Daniher, all injury-prone, in your forward line,” Cornes said on Channel Nine.

“So for the Swans, how about they draft a key forward?

"I don't expect them to be in the premiership window moving forward, they finished 15th last year. Without Franklin and him maybe not playing much at all in the last three years, I don't think they can win the premiership in the next three years.

"I understand (Daniher might want to go to Sydney), but there's a lot of players that want to go to a club. You're not going to just take the risk on a player that hasn't played for 18 months hardly - and, even in this period, has not been able to get himself right."

Cornes detailed why Melbourne, Adelaide, Collingwood, Geelong and Hawthorn would be a fitter fit for the forward...

Melbourne

Cornes said: “I think Melbourne is at the top of the list, when you look at their leading goal scorer last year it was Petracca on 22, you cannot have that as a key forward.

“If Melbourne think that they’re in the window which clearly they do there’s a role there as a backup ruck as well.”

Adelaide

Cornes said: “Tex is 31, how long has he got left? I just think Adelaide need someone who can sell some tickets.

“I don’t think it’s going to be a happy time at Adelaide for the next three or four years so at least he can put some bums on seats (with) no Eddie Betts there.”

Collingwood

Cornes said: “Collingwood I’ve mentioned dependent on Jordan De Goey and what he does but I think Daniher’s a better fit than Mason Cox in that forward line as the key target.”

Geelong

Cornes said: “Geelong with Tom Hawkins and Gary Ablett their leading goalscorer last year, Hawkins is about to turn 32.

“Geelong (is) always looking to top up and stay at the top of the ladder perhaps Joe’s a fit there.”

Hawthorn

Cornes said: “Hawthorn clearly they went after Jonathan Patton to fill a need there so it’s dependent on his output, but with Breust and Gunston getting up there in age as well I think there’s a fit there at the Hawks.”