St Kilda and Richmond make a play for Essendon star Andrew McGrath

With the Bombers wallowing near the bottom of the ladder, two finals contenders are making a play for former number one draft pick Andrew McGrath.

Richmond and St Kilda are making a significant play for out-of-contract Essendon star Andrew McGrath, according to former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire.

As the Bombers look to turn around their disastrous 2-9 start to the season ahead of three successive Friday night clashes following the bye, McGuire told Footy Classified that McGrath was being courted by two teams on track to play finals this year.

“There are two clubs who are into him at the moment, St Kilda and Richmond,” McGuire said on Channel 9. “That doesn’t mean he (McGrath) is accepting of (that interest).

“I think they are looking at him very closely (and talking to his manager) and so they should be … because he is a gun player.”

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Andrew McGrath could be a useful piece for St Kilda and Richmond. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“Is this the opportunity because they have so many (midfielders) of the same type to maybe flick (him) out and get another player in?”

McGrath, who turned 24 on Thursday, has played 104 games for Essendon since being taken as pick 1 in the 2016 national draft.

He has spoken passionately about the Bombers’ plight, saying the players had to accept more responsibility for their on-field actions and boost their workrate.

McGrath has yet to kick-start serious contract negotiations with the Bombers about a new deal beyond this year, with talks currently on hold.

The Bombers remain confident McGrath will re-commit to the club at the right time, but McGuire said several clubs are at least asking the questions about his future.

Ross Lyon rates Zach Merrett as the next skipper of the Bombers. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

McGrath is considered a future captain of the club, but former Dockers and Saints coach Ross Lyon said he could be considered a trade option, despite his undoubted talent and great character.

“It’s a hard one being a pick one,” Lyon said. “He (McGrath) is not performing to a pick one level, as I see it.”

“He was a back pocket out of the under 18s. He is never going to be a key-position player and dominate a game. I think he is a good solid player and he has great character.

“But if you are not going forward as a club, maybe you cut your losses (and let him go).”

Lyon said the Bombers should make Zach Merrett its next captain, saying he was the logical replacement for Dyson Heppell.

“I think Merrett’s their next captain,” Lyon said. “No one prepares better than Merrett or competes more consistently than Merrett.

“He has the will and drive to be their captain.”

ONE CLUB DOWN FOR CLARKO? DEW ON TRACK FOR EXTENSION

– By Jon Ralph

Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew is on track to win a new deal but the Suns are determined to focus first on qualifying for their maiden finals series before talks on a contract extension.

The club’s performance in defying the crushing injury to star forward Ben King to push for that elusive finals berth has seen commentators asking if they should make an early call.

The Suns have been determined not to react to poor losses or encouraging victories all season and will instead remain firm on their original timeline.

It is a remarkable turnaround given expectations the AFL would parachute Alastair Clarkson into the club next year.

Alastair Clarkson has indicated a desire to return to the AFL coaching ranks next season but it’s uncertain where he might end up. Picture Cath Piltz

The connection between former Hawks football boss Mark Evans and Clarkson had only fuelled that narrative.

But the club has not spoken to Clarkson since they asked him last off-season if he was prepared to be a senior mentor to Dew, with the four time premiership coach making clear he was intent on a year of study.

The close connection between Dew and the players and the club’s belief he was teaching a modern game plan were crucial but the most important factor has been early wins on the board against quality opponents.

But Dew has put himself in a powerful position where he would need a drastic fade out to miss out on a deal to extend his tenure past five seasons.

The Suns believe they have built a strong team around Dew that includes development boss Rhyce Shaw, new assistants Steven King, Brad Miller and elite strength and conditioning team.

They have their best chance since 2014 to qualify for their first finals berth, with the club 7-2 in that season but eventually losing star Gary Ablett to a season-ending shoulder injury and finishing 10-12.

The Suns entered the season with fears they might sack coach Dew and lose their trio of fourth-year players in King, Jack Lukosius and Izak Rankine.

Now King is signed, Lukosius will shortly follow on a deal of at least two years and Rankine told the Herald Sun in the pre-season he was determined to remain at the Suns after his partner moved north over summer.

If the Suns defeat North Melbourne on Saturday they’ll head into the bye round with a 6-5 win loss record to start the season. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

The Suns take on hapless North Melbourne in the 4.35pm Darwin heat on Saturday then after the bye have 15th placed Adelaide at Metricon Stadium before Port Adelaide away and the Pies at home.

They will face West Coast, Essendon and North Melbourne (for a second time) this season in the run home.

The Suns are also hoping to hand debuts to early draft picks in pick 7 Elijah Hollands and pick 5 Mac Andrew after impressive VFL form.

Jack Bowes had 30 possessions in the VFL last week and is close to senior selection while Jy Farrar is available after sustaining a concussion against the Western Bulldogs when he was the club’s best player early in that clash.