Retired Sydney champion Adam Goodes was reportedly approached by Essendon to be a top-up player in 2016.
Fairfax Media has reported that Goodes knocked back an approach from the Bombers to come out of retirement for one year as Essendon looks to replace the 12 banned players embroiled in the supplements saga.
Goodes had no interest in a return to football, after announcing his retirement after Sydney's semifnal loss to North Melbourne last year.
Essendon have already signed seven of their 10 top-up players, with Ryan Crowley, Matthew Stokes, James Kelly, Mark Jamar, Jonathan Simpkin, Matthew Dea and James Polkinghorne all signing on for 2016.
