Andrew McGrath is attracting significant interest from two rival Victorian clubs as Essendon continue to struggle on field, per reports from Eddie McGuire.
The 24-year-old's contract at The Hangar expires at the end of 2022, with McGrath reportedly putting contract talks on hold last month as the Bombers languish in 16th position with a 2-9 win-loss record.
Speaking on Channel 9's Footy Classified program, McGuire revealed that both St Kilda and Richmond were keen to make a play for the out-of-contract star.
“There are two clubs who are into him at the moment, St Kilda and Richmond,” McGuire said.
“That doesn’t mean he (McGrath) is accepting of (that interest).
“I think they are looking at him very closely (and talking to his manager) and so they should be … because he is a gun player.”
“Is this the opportunity because they have so many (midfielders) of the same type to maybe flick (him) out and get another player in?”
McGrath has played 104 games for the Bombers since his debut in 2017, going on to win the Rising Star award in that year.
Essendon reportedly remain confident that the former number one draft pick will re-sign with the club, internally viewing McGrath as a future captain of the club, but former St Kilda and Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said the club should be looking elsewhere to kickstart their climb up the ladder.
“I think Merrett’s their next captain,” Lyon said on Channel 9.
“No one prepares better than Merrett or competes more consistently than Merrett.
“He has the will and drive to be their captain.
“It’s a hard one being a pick one,
“He (McGrath) is not performing to a pick one level, as I see it.”
“He was a back pocket out of the under 18s. He is never going to be a key-position player and dominate a game. I think he is a good solid player and he has great character.
“But if you are not going forward as a club, maybe you cut your losses (and let him go).”
