Essendon weigh up trading for Port Adelaide vice-captain Hamish Hartlett

ESSENDON is set to weigh up its interest in Port Adelaide midfielder and vice-captain Hamish Hartlett this week.

Hamish Hartlett (left) is in the mix to join Essendon. Picture: Sarah Reed

ESSENDON is set to weigh-up its interest in Port Adelaide midfielder Hamish Hartlett this week.

The Power vice-captain is in Victoria to decide where he will play in 2017.

Port Adelaide is seeking a first-round pick in exchange for Hartlett, who has played 127 games at Alberton.

Essendon general manager Rob Kerr said Hartlett wasn’t initially a target for the Bombers but the club was open to signing him.

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“There is a bit of work to do with how that fits with our list and the gaps we feel we need to fill,” Kerr said on SEN.

“There will be a meeting and a pretty strong discussion amongst the list management group post that as to whether that is an option we want to pursue.”

The Gold Coast is also in the mix to sign Hartlett but he is believed to favour a move to Melbourne.

Hamish Hartlett after a Port Adelaide win. Picture: Michael Klein

Hartlett finished 17th in Port Adelaide’s best and fairest this year.

The No. 4 pick in the 2008 national draft could be the perfect replacement for departing Essendon rebounding defender Michael Hibberd.

Hibberd has requested a trade to Melbourne.

However, Kerr said there was still a bit to play out in that deal.

“Discussions have been ongoing but I wouldn’t say we are at the point where it looks like a deal has been done just yet,” he said.

The Bombers are happy to listen to offers for their prized No. 1 draft pick.

They have been approached by four clubs but at this point no official offers have been made.

The Bombers will also welcome back a host of banned stars who have recommitted to the club.

Most recently Brownlow Medal winner Jobe Watson confirmed he would return to Essendon.

Bombers list manager Adrian Dodoro said Watson was in top condition.

Jobe Watson has returned to Essendon in career best shape. Picture: Getty Images

“They are in great shape. I was talking to Jobe a couple of days ago. He is talking about being in career best shape. He looks fantastic,” he told Trade Radio.

“Guys like Brent Stanton, Heath Hocking, Benny Howlett, they are in unbelievable condition at the moment. Everyone is optimistic they (banned players) are going to come back in great shape.”

Essendon will wait until the end of the trade period to discuss new contracts for some of its existing players, including 29-year-old Courtney Dempsey.