‘They stuffed up’: Club torched for AFL Trade Period bungle
The AFL silly season has gotten even sillier with one club exposed for an embarrassing “stuff up” with its trade falling apart.
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Essendon has been accused of an embarrassing trade bungle on the AFL Trade Period’s final day.
The deadline day action has been dramatic with news about the future of Collingwood’s Jack Ginnivan shocking the footy world.
There was surprising news of a different kind to emerge about the Bombers with the club reportedly failing to know the recruitment rules surrounding rookie-listed players.
Essendon and Hawthorn had reportedly engaged in talks this week surrounding Massimo D’Ambrosio with the Hawks keen on sealing a deal with a low-end draft pick.
According to Josh Gabelich on AFL Trade Radio, the Bombers rejected Hawthorn’s offer of Pick 63.
However, it has since emerged D’Ambrosio is able to move to the Hawks for nothing as a third-year rookie-listed player.
SEN’s Tom Morris reported on Friday morning, D’Ambrosio — who played eight games for Essendon this year before failing to get picked after Round 13— is able to walk to Hawthorn without Essendon having a say because the Bombers’ offer of a one-year, rookie contract means D’Ambrosio is a free agent under the rules surrounding third-year rookie players.
Having declined Essendon’s offer, D’Ambrosio qualified for free agency.
If Essendon had offered him a senior-list contract, the club would have had grounds to force Hawthorn to the negotiating table.
Now, all bets are off for Bombers list boss Adrian Dodoro.
Melbourne legend Garry Lyon on Wednesday morning said the Bombers just should have accepted the Hawks’ first offer when it landed.
“That’s the story then. Essendon have mucked it up,” he said.
“You can’t bargain with Massimo D’Ambrosio if he can walk as a restricted free agent.”
The Bombers are fighting was on several fronts and there most important fight is the future of star midfielder Dylan Shiel.
Essendon has been busy this trade period, landing Todd Goldstein, Ben McKay and Jade Gresham.
According to reports the club broke the bank to lure McKay from North Melbourne.
Now the club is working hard to hold onto Shiel.
Morris reported on Trade Radio Shiel has a preference to play for St Kilda in 2024.
He said Essendon is resolute in keeping Shiel. According to reports the Saints have not come to the table with any offer that would interest the Bombers.
“Would be a huge backflip if the Bombers changed their tune this late,” Morris posted on Twitter.
The 30-year-old, who started his career with GWS before returning to Melbourne with the Bombers, has had an injury-interrupted five-year stint at Windy Hill.
Speculation about Shiel’s future at the Bombers has raged since he was dropped for poor form in 2022.
He is on a monster six-year deal, reported to be worth around $4.8 million.
Originally published as ‘They stuffed up’: Club torched for AFL Trade Period bungle
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