ESSENDON will target disgruntled Western Bulldogs forward Jake Stringer if he is up for grabs at the end of the season.
Stringer is contracted until the end of 2018 but his future is "up in the air", according to teammate Mitch Wallis.
Geelong and St Kilda have already expressed interest in recruiting the star forward, who was drafted with pick No.5 in 2012 NAB AFL Draft.
Bombers coach John Worsfold told Melbourne radio station SEN on Monday morning that list discussions would ramp up after his side was eliminated from the finals race by Sydney.
"We'll get more into looking at the names that are potentially available. There's not a big list out there. We'll sift through those and say one, do they fit into what we're trying to build (and) are they possibly available for us, because that's always a challenge," Worsfold said.
"If Stringer's on that list, (he's) obviously an All Australian player, we'll have to seriously consider what he might offer us if he is available."
The 2015 All Australian has been in middling form for the past two seasons and didn't kick multiple goals in a game after the Dogs' bye this year but at 23, it would appear his best football is yet to come.
Meanwhile, Worsfold is confident Aaron Francis will realise his potential and have a big impact at the club.
The South Australian has lined up in just five matches since being drafted with No.6 in 2015 but his strength and intercept marking mean he could be a useful addition to the senior side.
"We all know Aaron's got the talent to be a very, very good AFL player. The challenge that he's got in terms of understanding the level that you have to be at, at AFL level, to be a stand-out player," Worsfold said.
"He's got the talent to take marks, kick the ball well (and) really impact games, but AFL clubs in our competition, they won't let you do that just because you're talented. You're going to have to work really hard.
"Part of Aaron's game, it's not so much fitness overall, it's just the understanding of the intensity of the game, non-stop. He's been learning that throughout this year and I'm absolutely confident that he's got a lot better understanding of what it takes to get there.
"He is a very young developing player that has got a very bright career ahead of him if he wants it."
The club's coaching panel for next year is yet to be finalised but retired backman James Kelly could stay on as an assistant.
"That sort of person you'd love to have around your footy club. He's obviously a great character, great values, superb football knowledge (and) good communicator. He ticks a lot of the boxes that any club would be looking at to have around," Worsfold said.
The 33-year-old has declared an interest in coaching, despite having had a job in the AFL lined up after his first retirement from Geelong at the end of 2015.
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