Essendon reportedly have an eye on West Coast free agent Josh Rotham as the Bombers weigh up adding experience to their backline options for the 2025 season.
Rotham is eligible for free agency under an unrestricted tag as his current contract with three Eagles reaches its expiry at the cessation of the 26-year-old's eighth season in the royal blue and gold.
The medium-sized backman played 13 games for West Coast in 2024, the same amount of appearances as his past two campaigns after playing a career-high 19 games in 2021.
Essendon, who could part ways with contracted defender Jayden Laverde this off-season, are said to have an interest in Rotham, who would come at no trade cost given his free agency status.
AFL.com.au'sย Cal Twomey revealed onย Gettableย that Essendon are circling Rotham, who remains without a deal for next season.
"The Bombers have interest in Rotham as an unrestricted free agent," Twomey said.
"Whether this depends on Jayden Laverde leaving the club or even as well as him being there we wait to see, but they do have interest in him.
"There's West Coast links at the Bombers; (CEO) Craig Vozzo, (talent manager) Matt Rosa and of course Rohan O'Brien now part of the recruiting team as well. That's opened up some interest in Rotham as defensive cover for some of their guys.
"Keep an eye on that one."
Hawthorn midfielder Finn Maginness is another rival asset said to be in the sights of the Bombers, who are keen to add some outside run to their midfield ensemble.
Maginness is under contract beyond this year and would need to be traded away from the Hawks, with Essendon potentially required to get creative with how they make a play for the 23-year-old given their need for draft points for this year's class.
"Essendon is among the clubs who have shown interest in Finn Maginness," reporter Riley Beveridge told Gettable.ย
"They're looking at that type of outside run player, so they're a club to watch. It would be a means of how they get the picks in to potentially get Finn Maginness through the door if they do ultimately elect to go down that path at the end of the season.
"It's 50-50 (he moves). It's one to watch given how much Hawthorn has got on their plate and Essendon's need for this type of player."
Essendon currently only hold Picks 8 and 28 for this year's National Draft, with their future selections able to be traded.
The player movement period opens on Friday, October 4 for the start of a week-long free agency window, with the trade period running from Monday, October 7 to Wednesday, October 16.
