The futures of several Bombers is up in the air after what has been a tumultuous week for the club.
Star defender Adam Saad informed the Bombers that he wants to be traded to Carlton, while free agent Joe Daniher declared his intentions to sign with the Brisbane Lions.
It has raised questions about Essendon's culture and the direction that they are heading in, with the club set to make a number of list changes this off-season.
The Bombers have already announced the delistings of Shaun McKernan, Mitch Hibberd, Kobe Mutch, Josh Begley and Noah Gown, with Saad, Daniher and potentially more names set to follow them out the door.
Speaking on Fox Sports News on Thursday night, foxfooty.com.au senior reporter Tom Morris provided a comprehensive update on the futures of five key Bombers - Orazio Fantasia, Cale Hooker, Michael Hurley, Zach Merrett and Martin Gleeson.
Orazio Fantasia
Morris said: “They’re expecting Orazio Fantasia to request a trade at some stage in the next five or six weeks. Adelaide and Port Adelaide loom as the most likely destinations for him.
“There’s a number of players here at Essendon that are somewhere between unsettled, restless and actually wanting to go, and a lot of them are contracted as well.”
Cale Hooker
Morris said: “Cale Hooker’s future is unclear. He’s contracted until the end of next year but there’s a bit of murmuring around some other clubs that they could be keen on him.”
Michael Hurley
Morris said: “Michael Hurley the same (as Hooker), he’s contracted for another two years, I wonder if he’ll look elsewhere if clubs come for him in the off-season.”
“There’s plenty going on at the Bombers, the most immediate concern is Orazio Fantasia, but don’t be surprised if especially Hurley and Hooker come up in some discussions during the trade period.”