Sydney Swans great Gerard Healy says there are many clubs still vying for Essendon’s pick 4.
It’s understood those clubs are looking to trade up to secure draft prospect Elijah Tsatas, according to Healy.
The Oakleigh Chargers midfielder has spent time both inside and outside the contest and has the capacity to develop into an elite two-way midfielder.
Speaking in the lead-up to the National Draft, Healy told Sportsday that the situation is still far from settled.
“The big news is that everybody – I’m told – is chasing Essendon’s pick 4 and offering up plenty for enticement for (Essendon list manager) Adrian Dodoro to consider,” Healy stated.
“The Demons are at the top of the queue, the Dogs have entered the fray with another late bid, and Elijah Tsatas is the man they are evidently all chasing.”
Sydney Swans list manager Kinnear Beatson confirmed earlier on Monday that the Bombers appear to be the only club with a pick in the top 10 open to offers.
Ex-AFL recruiter Matt Rendell suggested the Bombers would be hoping they can secure overs on a trade.
“He (Dodoro) would be thinking he can get some ridiculous deal,” Rendell added.
“All the clubs we’re hearing (that are going for the pick) are all Melbourne clubs, so I’m assuming it’s not (South Australian Mattaes) Phillipou, it’s more like Tsatas.
“The running midfielder… clubs are prepared to risk plenty to get him, so they obviously rate him pretty high.”
Tsatas has previously compared his game style to that of GWS co-captain Josh Kelly and states he’s happy to get drafted interstate.
The first round of the National Draft will be taken on Monday night, with coverage kicking off at 7:00pm AEDT.