THE WESTERN Bulldogs and Essendon are still a long way off getting Bombers forward Stewart Crameri to Whitten Oval.

 

The Bulldogs have offered Crameri a four-year deal believed to be worth up to $1.8 million, but getting a trade done may be more difficult than first thought.

 

Speaking on AFL.com.au's Gillette Trade Radio, Bulldogs list manager Jason McCartney said there was still a "fair bit of work to go" yet.

 

"We're pretty set on the level we're at and obviously Essendon is trying to get the best deal for their footy club," McCartney said.

 

"I understand and appreciate both parties are trying to do the best thing for their club.

 

"We've got three weeks. Hopefully it doesn't take that long."

 

McCartney hinted the Bulldogs had offered their second round NAB AFL Draft pick, number 22 overall.

Essendon list manager Adrian Dodoro also conceded that that the two clubs were not quite on the same page with Crameri.

"Today was a bit of a snore-fest," Dodoro said.
 

Crameri – the Bombers' leading goalkicker for the past three years - has a close relationship with Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney, who was his forward line coach in 2011.

 

As an out-of-contract player he can walk into the pre-season draft.

 

Crameri has played 57 games for the Bombers and kicked 96 goals after coming into the AFL as a rookie selection.

 

Jason McCartney said there was little chance the Bulldogs would attempt a trade with Greater Western Sydney that would land them the rights to select Tom Boyd with the No.1 draft pick.

 

He also said, despite the rumours, they had not spoken with Jonathon Patton's management about a possible trade.

 

"We don't want to be a club that's overly active in this period to be honest," he said.