ESSENDON'S first-round draft pick is likely to only be a starting point in negotiations with Greater Western Sydney over a move for gun midfielder Dylan Shiel.
Still contracted through until the end of 2019, it's unlikely Shiel will command as much as fellow former Giant Adam Treloar, though will likely cost more than the Bombers' pick No.9.
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Collingwood gave GWS a first-round draft pick and a future first-round draft pick in exchange for Treloar, but also received a second-round selection as part of the deal.
GIANT DECISION Shiel picks Bombers
Industry sources have indicated to AFL.com.au that Shiel is unlikely to come at a similar price, with Treloar two years younger at the time of requesting a trade to the Pies.
The deal could instead reflect that of Jaeger O'Meara's move to Hawthorn, which cost the Hawks pick No.10 in 2016, as well as a future second-round draft selection.
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O'Meara was three years younger than Shiel at the time of requesting a trade, though had a long injury history throughout his brief career at Metricon Stadium.
Essendon has already traded out its current second-round draft pick in a deal with Gold Coast for Adam Saad last year, but does have GWS' second-round selection (currently pick No.34) as part of last year's trade taking Devon Smith to the Bombers.
That pick, or a future second-round selection, may be moved along with pick No.9 in a deal for Shiel. Essendon also has picks 65 and 83, though both likely fall too late to be included.
Shiel is under contract at GWS, having penned a two-year extension taking him through to the end of 2019 early last season. However, it's believed that the significant cap squeeze occurring at the Giants could lessen the importance of his current deal during negotiations.
While GWS might be in desperate need of a ruckman, with 207cm big man Rory Lobb requesting a trade to Fremantle on Monday, it's unlikely other players will be involved.
Speaking about the deal on Tuesday afternoon, Shiel's manager Paul Connors confirmed he expects the Giants to request draft picks, rather than players, in any negotiations.
"I haven't gone down that path," Connors told NAB AFL Trade Radio.
"(But) I think they probably need to get some picks in and then reload and just straighten up some of their stuff. They've got so much talent on their list and you can only pay them so much because we've got a salary cap."
Shiel, 25, finished sixth in the club's best and fairest last week following a season where he averaged 25.9 disposals, 4.7 inside 50s and 4.5 clearances per game.
Carlton, Hawthorn and St Kilda had also been in discussions to secure his signature, though were informed at around lunchtime Tuesday that Essendon was his preferred destination.
