Essendon swingman Aaron Francis is understood to be wanting to depart the Bombers through a trade this off-season, while teammate Brayden Ham has reportedly met with two Victorian clubs over his future.
The duo are both yet to be re-signed by the Dons for 2023, however survived the club's first wave of delistings just days after their campaign concluded with the home and away season.
The situation has placed the pair under a cloud of uncertainty, which has only been compounded given Essendon's coaching search is only just getting underway.
Francis joined the Bombers as the sixth overall selection at the 2015 National, landing ahead of Giant Jacob Hopper, Coleman Medal winner Harry McKay and Richmond's Daniel Rioli in the first round.
But seven years on, and after only 54 games in the red sash, Francis is hoping to find a new club for 2023, according to AFL.com.au.
While the 25-year-old hails from South Australia, it is understood Francis isn't solely set on a return to his home state in finding a second club.
The West Adelaide product struggled to cement himself in Essendon's senior side this season, playing just the four games as he continued to search for his best suited role in the red and black.
Francis has been swung both forward and back across his seven-year career, with 2022 seeing the 193cm-tall target boot four goals from four games.
Meanwhile, AFL.com.au's report suggests Ham has met with a pair of Victorian clubs as he assesses his options beyond this year.
Like Francis, the young wingman wasn't able to hold down a role at AFL level for a majority of the season and was consistently in and out of the club's selection planning, while also being named medical sub on five occasions.
With no deal for 2023 confirmed, the 23-year-old is in limbo and gaining some level of interest from rival clubs.
Ham played 19 of his 45 career games last year alone, making his debut in 2019 and featuring in all four seasons since joining the club through National Draft as a fifth-round selection.