RE-SIGNING out-of-contract forward Joe Daniher should be Essendon's focus ahead of trying to lure Richmond star Dustin Martin to the club, according to coach John Worsfold. 

Daniher's form spike in recent weeks – he has booted five goals in each of the Bombers' wins in the past two rounds – has seen his value further increase as Essendon continue negotiations to sign him beyond 2017.

The 23-year-old is perhaps the competition's most exciting young forward and, having already booted 26 goals this season, is on track for a career-best year. 

Essendon this week confirmed its interest in Martin, who will become a free agent at the end of the year and has parked contract discussions with the Tigers until then.

But Worsfold said the Bombers needed to concentrate on retaining their unsigned players before looking to bring in rival stars. 

"My keenness is on [re-signing] Joe Daniher. He's the No.1 priority and we're working really hard to get Joey signed," Worsfold said on Friday ahead of the Dons' Dreamtime at the 'G clash with the Tigers on Saturday night. 

"I'm not too interested in worrying about anyone else until we get Joey locked away, as well as 'Zacka' (restricted free agent David Zaharakis) and Darcy Parish as well. There's a huge amount of work going into that." 

The Bombers appear likely to have some salary relief at the end of this year given senior players Jobe Watson, Brent Stanton, Heath Hocking, Ben Howlett and James Kelly are all out of contract.

However, in retaining 10 of their 12 suspended players from last year the Bombers did hand out lucrative long-term deals to Cale Hooker, Michael Hurley while captain Dyson Heppell is also contracted until the end of 2020.

The Bombers have been attempting to re-sign emerging star Parish to a new deal since first opening talks midway through last year. 

Worsfold said the club was aware of Daniher's talent and his projected rise in future seasons as the Bombers' spearhead, but would not be drawn on how close the father-son recruit was to inking a new contract. 

"I don't sit in all the meetings that are on-going with his management, but it's progressing really well," he said. 

"I don't talk to Joey about his contract negotiations and I don't think Joey talks about it that much other than with his parents and his manager. That's all been dealt with through his management and our list manager (Adrian Dodoro)." 

The Bombers haven't landed a big name in the off-season since 2012, when they recruited high-profile free agent Brendon Goddard from St Kilda. 

Martin is in stellar form this season and shapes as a Brownlow Medal contender, and last year gathered a combined 81 disposals and six Brownlow votes in two games against the Bombers. Despite that dominance, Worsfold said the Bombers wouldn't be tempted into deploying a tagger to stop the Richmond star. 

"We're a different team now. We're certainly aware of what their midfield brings…it's more around how we attack them as a team," the coach said. 

"We've used players in the last four or five weeks in semi run-with roles but not straight tagging, so it's unlikely we'll tag. But we've got the ability to go to that if we want to."