Essendon list boss Adrian Dodoro says the Bombers hope to lodge free agency paperwork for St Kilda’s Jade Gresham in the next 24 hours.
Gresham has long been tipped to become a Bomber and now looks set to simply come as a restricted free agent, instead of as part of a complicated trade as was floated before the trade period.
With no trade at play, Dodoro says the Bombers have been negotiating with Gresham and his management as they look to finalise contract negotiations.
“I think we're probably going to lodge documentation within the next 24 hours,” Dodoro told AFL Trade Radio.
“That's where that one sits.
“We haven't discussed anything (trade related), If you're referring to St Kilda that is.
“We're just speaking to his manager at the present time. It's more contractual stuff than anything else.”
While Gresham is no doubt one of the best free agents on the market with the forward/midfielder showing glimpses of his talent across 136 games for St Kilda, some have questioned how he fit in at The Hangar.
Dodoro says one reason why the Bombers have highlighted the 26-year-old is because they feel Brad Scott gets the most out of players with big upsides, something that Gresham undoubtedly has.
“This year was Brad's first year, and you get to know the coach and how he coaches and what he wants from his team,” Dodoro said.
“There's no doubt that there are players that will suit his style.
“He's a coach that obviously values defence as much as anyone, but he lets players play to their strength.
“We saw the growth in a lot of players this year because they were freed up a little bit in terms of their role to play to their strengths.
“Brad has a great record at getting guys to play to their maximum ability and we just identified some players that we think have got a lot of upside.”
St Kilda acting General Manager of Football David Misson says the Saints are hoping for an end-of-first-round compensation pick for Gresham.
If Essendon’s contract offer equates to compensation that comes in the second round, Misson says the club is willing to keep hold of the dynamic goalkicker.
“Jade’s a very high-level player,” Misson told SEN Afternoons.
“He kicked 21 goals for us this year, he's been a really established player at St Kilda and we're hoping to get an end-of-first-round pick. That's what we'd be after there.
“If the compensation that we get offered isn't what we'd like, then we'd decide whether we wanted to match it.
“Jade has a great relationship with Ross. So, if we have to, we'd be very happy to keep Jade at St Kilda if that's the way it starts to look.”
Gresham played 23 games for St Kilda in 2023 averaging 17.6 disposals, 0.9 goals and 3.4 inside 50s.