ESSENDON has no plans to trade veteran midfielder Dylan Shiel, list boss Adrian Dodoro has declared.
Speculation has surrounded Shiel's future after the 30-year-old played just 12 games in 2023 as he battled a foot injury.
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As reported last week in Inside Trading on Saturday, the former Giant also went under the knife for post-season knee surgery, but Dodoro said the Bombers expected Shiel to be back "up and running" in only a month ahead of a pre-season staying put at Tullamarine.
"No, he's not on the table," Dodoro emphatically told Continental Tyres AFL Trade Radio.
"He's very much a highly regarded member of our playing group. He'll be at the Essendon Football Club next year.
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"He's frustrated with his knee, but he'll be up and running in the next four weeks. He's fine, and looking forward to a big year next year."
Shiel earned an All-Australian blazer at Greater Western Sydney in 2017 before joining Essendon in a high-profile trade at the end of 2018.
He has struggled with injury in recent years, playing 39 of a possible 68 games over the Bombers' past three campaigns.
Essendon is set to land a free agency trifecta with Todd Goldstein, Ben McKay and Jade Gresham all nominating the Bombers as their preferred new homes.
Dodoro also confirmed the club was interested in Port Adelaide winger Xavier Duursma, although he was yet to request a move as the trade period officially opened on Monday.
