Essendon has been urged to make a play for Collingwood's Steele Sidebottom after reports have suggested his time in the black and white is coming to a close.
Multiple reports have indicated Sidebottom may be retiring at season's end, with the Pies looking to stagger their veterans out the door to avoid a major hit on their list.
The Bombers, who are in desperate need of experience, have been implored to assess the two-time premiership player, if he were to depart Collingwood.
"If his time at Collingwood has come to an end, and I'm the Essendon Football Club, and expecting Zach Merrett to seek a trade again, I think there is value in, like what Brisbane did with Luke Hodge, going to a Steele Sidebottom, who would still get a game at Essendon," St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt said on The Agenda Setters.
"The reason they banged the desk last year and kept Zach Merrett was to make a stamp, something at the club, as well as have Robey and these guys have a senior player to learn from. Merrett is not there next year.
"If he wants to continue to play, and the opportunity doesn't exist at Collingwood. If Steele Sidebottom was up for it, it'd be silly for the Bombers not to make an approach."
Sidebottom joined Collingwood after the 2008 draft, taken with Pick 11 from the Murray Bushrangers.
He's played 370 games, and claimed two premierships, as well as an All-Australian blazer, two Copeland Trophies, two Anzac Day Medals, a Gary Ayres Medal and was in the leadership group for eight seasons.
