Essendon has regressed this year from their 2021 season which saw the Bombers earn a finals berth, with pressure mounting on second-year senior coach Ben Rutten.
However, amid the doom and gloom of their 2022 campaign, the Dons boast a young and promising list as three youngsters, supplemental selection period recruit Nic Martin, first-round draftee Ben Hobbs and mid-season draftee Massimo D'Ambrosio, achieved Rising Star nominations through 16 rounds.
Over the course of last year's trade and free agency period, Essendon acquired the services of unrestricted free agent defender Jake Kelly from the Crows.
Taking into account Essendon's recent activity during the trade and free agency period and the likelihood of them being key players again this year, we've named five potential targets for the Bombers to consider.
2. Daniel Rioli
The recruitment of Nick Hind from St Kilda has proven to be a successful one for the Bombers, and they could add another defensive speedster in the form of Richmond's Daniel Rioli alongside Hind and part-time half-back Andy McGrath (also out-of-contract at the end of this year).
The 25-year-old is currently slated to come out of contract at the end of this season but is not eligible for free agency as he has only served seven years at Tigerland, meaning a trade would have to be orchestrated between the two sides.
