Essendon asked the AFL for help. It won’t be in the form of early draft picks

Essendon’s draft assistance package is unlikely to include extra first- or second-round picks because of new rules introduced by the AFL this year.

The AFL Commission is due to make a decision on the Bombers’ application on the Monday before the grand final, but it is more likely the league will grant the club extra rookie spots to add depth to its list, rather than extra picks.

The assistance package awarded to West Coast at the end of 2025 included one end-of-first-round draft selection and four extra rookie spots for three seasons, while the Kangaroos were awarded extra end-of-first-round draft picks (some of which had to be traded) and extra rookie spots.

But Essendon are set to miss out on such a haul thanks to new AFL rules, which have built additional compensation picks into the system for bottom-five teams if their first-round pick slides back due to a matched bid for a father-son or academy player.

The compensation will come in the form of an additional second-round pick, but the Bombers won’t be the only beneficiaries if they trigger it.

Though they have applied for extra assistance, the new rules mean Richmond, West Coast, potentially Port Adelaide and the Kangaroos would also receive compensation if a bid by the Bombers is matched by a rival.

Essendon only need to bid on Carlton’s Cody Walker or Port Adelaide’s Dougie Cochrane with pick No.1 and those clubs, as expected, to match the bid to activate compensation.

The Bombers are interested in Melbourne’s Jack Viney, who was among a number of players who entered the trade market in a busy start to the week, with St Kilda’s Rowan Marshall and North Melbourne’s Zane Duursma both requesting a trade, while Lions’ premiership forward Zac Bailey signed a whopping eight-year contract to remain in Brisbane.

Based on ladder order, Essendon, who appointed new coach Mark McVeigh last month, have picks No.1 and No.19, as well as No.55 already in this year’s national draft after finishing on the bottom with just two wins.

They could also add draft capital if they trade out former skipper Zach Merrett, as expected, to Hawthorn with defender Jordan Ridley also potentially on the move.

They have added five players inside No.14 in the past three national drafts with Sullivan Robey, Jacob Farrow, Dyson Sharp, Isaac Kako and Nate Caddy all showing promise. Koby Bewick, the son of dual premiership forward Darren, is also a strong prospect in the 2027 national draft, which will include Tasmania in a draft for the first time.

Zane Duursma is keen to join the Demons

After a year spent contemplating his future, Zane Duursma has decided he can instead flourish at Melbourne after three seasons at the Kangaroos yielded just 38 matches.

The forward, who was taken with pick No.4 in the 2023 national draft, one spot ahead of Hawthorn star Nick Watson, is keen to make a fresh start under Steven King, however finalising a trade is likely to take some work.

The Demons have no intention of handing over one of their first round picks while the Kangaroos are expected to value Duursma, who had an offer from North Melbourne, highly given he has just turned 21. Essendon also shape as a stalking horse for the forward (whose brother Xavier plays for the club), having shown some interest in him at the end of last season.

Melbourne have picks six and 10, which could lob a player such as key defender Tyson Bradley with one of those selections. They are keen to use their picks to add to their pool of emerging talent.

The Demons have offered Christian Salem a one-year deal as he enters the twilight of his career while they are one of several clubs interested in Brisbane Lions’ forward Will McLachlan.

Carlton not resting on their laurels

Having missed out on Bulldogs defender Buku Khamis who will accept a five-year deal to remain at the kennel, the Blues remain in the race for Swans’ forward Joel Amartey, who missed the qualifying final through injury.

Carlton are also likely to extend out-of-contract wingman/defender Ollie Hollands, who had an exceptional finals series after a patchy 2026. North Melbourne showed some interest in Hollands but the first-round draft pick is keen to remain with the Blues and discussions are likely to ramp up.

The Blues major priority is ensuring they do not upend their list management strategy as they collect enough draft points to match any bid for Cody Walker, the son of 200-gamer, Andrew.

Rowan Marshall hollers for a trade

Veteran ruckman Rowan Marshall has declared his desire to leave St Kilda in this year’s trade period after a failed bid to join the Cats last season. Marshall, who still has a year remaining on his contract, wants to get to Geelong, but he has not nominated a preferred destination as he is aware their priority is Zak Butters.

The 30-year-old played well in 2026 after being forced to share ruck duties with highly paid recruit Tom De Koning.

Marshall’s cause may be helped if St Kilda can convince Geelong premiership player Sam De Koning to join his brother at the Saints, however there is no indication the Cats’ defender-ruck wants to leave. He remains contracted at Geelong.

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Peter Ryan is a sports reporter with The Age.Connect via X or email.Michael Gleeson is an award-winning senior sports writer specialising in AFL and athletics.Connect via X or email.AdvertisementAdvertisement