Damian Barrett is reporting that Essendon has opted to match Carlton’s offer for Adam Saad in a last-ditch attempt to keep him.
The dashing defender recently requested a trade to the Blues, knocking back an offer from the Bombers in order to move to a third club.
Barrett says Essendon is digging their heels in during negotiations and as a result, the entire Trade Period is being held up.
“Essendon is still trying to keep him,” he said on AFL Trade Radio’s Late Trade.
“They’ve made contact with him in the last 48 hours hoping that he changes his mind. He’s out the door and he’s not coming back.
“They didn’t value him enough to make him stay at the time, the deal they are now prepared to offer him is roughly in keeping with what Carlton has offered to him, but they didn’t offer it to him before Carlton did.”
Former Carlton list manager Stephen Silvagni said Essendon would be “kidding themselves” if they didn’t accept a deal with pick 8 involved.
“If the Essendon Football Club doesn’t take pick 8, they are kidding themselves,” he said.
“If it’s not on the table from Carlton, they are kidding themselves as well. Until we know whether pick 8 is on the table, we’re speculating.”