Zach Merrett and Jordan Ridley want to leave Bombers, Essendon interest in Jack Bowes

Updates on five Bombers have come to light as list calls beckon, while, on the other hand, they reportedly have their eyes on a Cat.

Plus, the Bulldogs’ list boss addresses his club’s desire for a key defensive upgrade, as their pursuit of a free agent intensifies. Read on in Trade Whispers.

Watch every match of every round of the AFL Premiership Season LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

FIVE DONS ON WATCH AMID $4.5M CHASE

There’s a watch on at least five in-flux Bombers as list decisions loom at season’s end, while the club remains linked to one of the game’s most exciting developing forwards.

SEN’s Tom Morris on Wednesday provided quickfire updates on a handful of Essendon players – in and out of contract – who have uncertain futures at Tullamarine.

As has become clear, contracted former captain Zach Merrett still “wants to go to Hawthorn”, while his teammate who’s managed by the same agent – and also with contract years remaining – could also be in new colours next year.

“Ridley wants to go to Queensland – got my eyes more on Gold Coast, whereas last year it was Brisbane,” Morris said on SEN.

“Both are contracted; both are managed by Nick Gieschen – so that will take some negotiations from him to the club.”

Darcy Parish is also contracted through the 2029 season, but unlike Ridley, Morris believes it might be harder for the All-Australian to explore a move if he desired one.

“I think if Parish was a free agent, he would look to go, but I think it’s harder for Parish because he’s contracted. I’m not sure there are any real suitors for him,” Morris said.

MORE COVERAGE:

TEN AFL STARS TIPPED TO MOVE: ‘Moneyball recruit’ Pies must consider; pair in Vic sights

‘MAKE THE RIGHT CALL’: Cripps gives verdict on next Blues coach… and what’ll determine his AFL future

TRADE WHISPERS: Hawks deal free agent ‘must refuse’ as rival circles; $8m twist over ‘disrespected’ star

AFL DAILY: Rival thwarts Dons’ handout bid; coach’s ‘paranoid’ fears over training changes

He also shared his latest intel on fledgling midfielder Elijah Tsatas and out-of-favour forward Jade Gresham, who both don’t have 2027 deals as of yet.

“Tsatas is out of contract; he was out of favour with Brad Scott as well … I would imagine there would be a home for Tsatas if he had a look, but I’m not sure Essendon is going to get much back for him,” said Morris.

“Gresham has a games-based trigger clause that he hasn’t hit yet … he’s been out of favour a little bit at Essendon as well, so he’s one to watch at the end of the season – I’m not sure whether there’ll be a home for him next year.”

Updates on several potential departures come as emerging Suns key forward Walter remains linked with Essendon in trade scuttlebutt.

The 21-year-old Palm Beach Currumbin product has yet to sign a new deal at Carrara as key forward teammate Ben King ponders his future.

The 40-gamer has interest from multiple Victorian clubs, including Essendon, says Morris, in a tantalising hypothetical tandem with Nate Caddy.

“I haven’t heard Geelong and Jed Walter for a while; I think that’s more Collingwood and Essendon and those sorts of clubs,” Morris said.

“Gold Coast have offered Walter a five-year extension worth around $4.5 million in total – and I think everyone is just waiting on Ben King and what he does, including Walter himself.”

BOMBERS ‘REGISTER INTEREST’ IN FORGOTTEN CAT

Essendon is said to have a new rival target, with the Bombers reportedly among the clubs “interested” in out-of-favour Geelong veteran Jack Bowes, whose contract is expiring.

After featuring 43 times over the past two seasons, the 28-year-old has played just eight senior games this year, with five in the reserves as Chris Scott opts for others.

Now, four years after arriving in Geelong as part of a salary-dump deal with Gold Coast, Bowes could be on the move again, per AFL Media’s Josh Gabelich.

“Jack Bowes could be a three-club player come the end of the season,” he reported on Gettable.

“Yet to receive an offer from the Cats for next year and beyond … clubs are having a look at him right now, including Essendon – they (have) registered interest.

“He is certainly one to watch … he clearly wants to play senior footy, and he may have to look elsewhere by the end of this year.”

Bowes, who played one AFL game between Rounds 9 and 15, has averaged 18.0 disposals and 3.8 marks this year. He was omitted ahead of Geelong’s Thursday night blockbuster against Brisbane.

The versatile half-backer is not a free agent this year, meaning the Bombers would either have to wait to see if the Cats delist him, or fork over a later pick in a small-scale trade.

Then-coach Brad Scott met with Bowes in the 2022 trade period, with ex-Sun picking Geelong over Essendon at the time.

DOGS TAKE STANCE AMID CROW PURSUIT

The Bulldogs are chasing a “marked upgrade” in key defence, as their pursuit of Adelaide free agent Jordon Butts intensifies.

It comes as Midweek Tackle’s Jon Ralph said on Tackle the Headline on Wednesday: “I think the jungle drums are beating stronger that Butts will probably find himself at the Western Bulldogs.”

Speaking to AFL Media, Dogs list boss Michael Regan said any pursuit of a defender wouldn’t just be for the sake of it.

“We are at a point where if we’re going to pursue a key defender, it needs to be a marked upgrade on what we have,” Regan said.

“Yes, we want to get better … we’re going to pursue anyone that we think is a marked upgrade, but we’re also going to back in our youth.

“We still actually think there’s pretty good upside in our group.”

Regan cited the development of Jedd Busslinger and Buku Khamis, though Khamis reportedly once again has the interest of Carlton – and this time around, he’s an unrestricted free agent.