Essendon midfielder Dylan Shiel has reportedly emerged as a surprise trade option for GWS, a club he spent seven seasons with to start his AFL career.
Despite being contracted for a further 12 months at Tullamarine, Shiel's future has been speculated on over the course of this year, with St Kilda seen to have rekindled their interest in the 31-year-old after a move for the onballer fell short in 2023.
A potential play from the Saints isn't expected to transpire this off-season despite the Moorabbin club being linked to the one-time All-Australian, who endured an interrupted 2024 campaign.
Shiel played one game prior to Round 17 this season due to a foot injury that delayed the start of his campaign, while he was held to VFL form for several weeks before a return match against Collingwood in July.
The Bombers ball-winner played the last eight games in Essendon's season, which fell short of a finals finish, with Shiel impressing with some positive late-season form.
His placing in Brad Scott's midfield pecking order remains uncertain given the top-line and emerging ranks pressing for opportunities at the Bombers next year, placing Shiel as a potential target for clubs keen to add experience to their engine room ensembles.
Shiel's former club GWS are reportedly considering a play for the veteran midfielder ahead of next week's trade period in what could be a shock return to New South Wales for the inaugural Giants player, per 7 News' Mitch Cleary.
"The Giants will explore the possibility of a reunion with Dylan Shiel, who is open to a fresh start at another club," Cleary said on Thursday night.
"A big watch on what happens now with Dylan Shiel."
The Dandenong Stingrays product started his career in the orange and charcoal as an underage selection, with Shiel making his AFL debut in the Giants' first-ever game in the competition against Sydney in 2012.
Shiel played 135 games for the Giants and would claim All-Australian honours in 2017 before seeking a trade to Essendon a year later. The Bombers packaged a pair of first-round selections to appease GWS in a trade deal, with a second-round selection also landing with the Bombers.
The move hasn't quite worked out for Essendon, with Shiel limited to 85 games over six seasons back in Victoria.
The trade period opens on Monday and will run until the following Wednesday, with GWS facing a busy couple of weeks as they prepare to lose Harry Perryman (Collingwood, Isaac Cumming (Adelaide), Nick Haynes (Carlton), James Peatling (Adelaide) and Wade Derksen (Melbourne) this off-season.