Essendon are reportedly "doing work" on unsigned GWS utility Conor Stone this off-season, with Richmond also potentially in the mix to make a play for the former first-round pick.
Stone has played just the 13 AFL games at senior level since joining the New South Wales club from the Oakleigh Chargers as the 15th overall pick in 2020.
The 189cm talent has played at both ends of the field across 29 VFL games, with Stone booting 16 goals in his first 16 games in the state league competition before switching to a defensible role as a key accumulator - collecting 23.74 disposals per game after making the move to half-back.
Having been placed out of favour and still without a contract for 2025, Stone looms as a potential attainable asset this trade period as clubs from south of the border weigh up their list plans.
Stone finds himself in a peculiar position, with a role in Adam Kingsley's side for next year potentially on offer as the Giants prepare to lose defensive options Harry Perryman and Isaac Cumming to free agency.
According to 7 News reporter Mitch Cleary, Stone has some level of interest from the Bombers this year, while the Tigers could see the 22-year-old as a depth player ahead of the expected loss of best and fairest winner Dan Rioli.
"A first-round pick in 2020, he's played 13 games in four years for the Giants and this year moved to half-back," Cleary said of Stone on the Trades Podcast.
"Essendon is one club doing work on him. I'd keep an eye on Richmond too with Dan Rioli leaving.
"Now that Perryman and Cumming are both leaving, there's a chance he stays.
"[Stone] is a name those supporting Melbourne clubs can keep an eye on."
The Giants are bracing for a busy off-season, with veteran defender Nick Haynes also set to depart for a Victorian club - likely Carlton - as a free agent, joining Perryman and Cumming in finding a new home.
Off-contract midfielder James Peatling has interest across the competition and is weighing up his future, while Xavier O'Halloran has garnered interest from the Western Bulldogs.
The Giants have already bid farewell to Adam Kennedy (retired), Braydon Preuss (delisted) and Cooper Hamilton (delisted) in 2024, with Stone, Peatling and Josh Fahey still without deals for next year.