AFL trade news: Jade Gresham set to nominate Essendon as preferred new home

The Bombers already look to have landed Ben McKay and Todd Goldstein, but one more big name could be making their way to Essendon.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 26: Jade Gresham of the Saints celebrates kicking a goal during the round 24 AFL match between the Brisbane Lions and St Kilda Saints at The Gabba, on August 26, 2023, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

St Kilda small forward Jade Gresham is expected to nominate Essendon as his preferred new home as the Bombers prepare to table a contract offer.

Gresham, 26, is believed to have earned more than $800,000 a year at St Kilda as part of a blockbuster contract, but seems destined for a pay cut to continue his career at Essendon.

The Bombers are keen on Gresham and could land him on a deal upwards of $600,000 a season to add him to the forward line in place of retired goal kicker Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti.

While Essendon is yet to negotiate a new contract with Gresham’s manager, Matthew Bain from TLA, there was a high level of confidence Gresham was headed to Tullamarine for 2024.

As the Herald Sun revealed on September 22, the Bombers are closing in on a historic free agency triple play which could deliver the red and black North Melbourne pair Ben McKay and Todd Goldstein, as well as Gresham.

Goldstein could enter the frame to lead the Bombers’ ruck division in Round 1 if star big man Sam Draper has not recovered in time from serious groin surgery next season.

Jade Gresham is expected to join Essendon. Photo by Michael Klein.

The free agency triple play is a major coup as the Bombers could land three key players without giving away any draft picks under the league’s free agency system.

Essendon has pick eight and is eyeing another star underage prospect in the draft to join Nik Cox, Ben Hobbs, Zach Reid, Archie Perkins as top-line developing prospects.

But attention will turn to the specifics of Gresham’s contract offer from Essendon over the next 48 hours which is what will determine what St Kilda receives in return for him.

A deal in the vicinity of $600,000 – $650,000 a season, plus incentives, could secure St Kilda at best an end-of-first-round or second-round compensation pick for Gresham.

St Kilda wants to bolster its draft hand to add some more top-line talent, but only has pick 13 after breaking through to the finals in the first year under Ross Lyon.

Gresham’s move could aid the Saints in their pursuit of Liam Henry. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Another second-round pick would bolster the Saints draft position, but the Dockers are also likely to ask for a choice in the second-round from St Kilda for slick playmaker Liam Henry.

The Saints are likely to open talks for Henry offering a third-round pick.

He will provide some polish and speed the Saints are desperate to add to help increase their scoring capacity and slick ball movement.

The Saints are seen to be in an attractive position following the breakout seasons of youngsters Mitch Owens, Mattaes Phillipou, Marcus Windhager, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Anthony Caminiti.

But the Saints are determined to add more top-line talent through the draft and are open to off-loading Gresham, although the club has kept alive the prospect of matching a bid from Essendon.

St Kilda is also entertaining interest in Jack Billings, Hunter Clark and Nick Coffield, while Dougal Howard is adamant he wants to stay.

Originally published as AFL trade news: Jade Gresham set to nominate Essendon as preferred new home