BRENT Moloney's manager Bruce Kaider says it is highly unlikely the ex-Demon will end up at Essendon, given Brendon Goddard's decision to join the club on Monday.
The Bombers have been linked to Moloney for some time - it was believed the club was keen on the 28-year-old in 2011 and was also interested in signing the tough onballer this year.
But, on Gillette AFL Trade Week Radio on Thursday afternoon, Kaider said Goddard's arrival at Windy Hill meant the Bombers probably wouldn't be able to afford his client.
"There's salary cap issues as part of all this free agency period that teams have got to be really aware of, and obviously Brendon goes there and takes up a big chunk of whatever salary cap space they had remaining," Kaider said.
"It would certainly make a deal tough at the moment but you never say never in this game."
Kaider said Moloney, the Demons' 2011 best and fairest, still had several years of quality football left in him, adding his leadership would be attractive to clubs.
He said Moloney was open to leaving Victoria to continue his career.
"As a player, he took a lot of pride in being a leader at the club and certainly got a lot out of that in helping young guys," he said.
"We genuinely believe he's got three, four years of good football left and not just with the football [side of things] but as a leader, and I think as a guy who can help develop young guys, he's a really good guy to have around your football club.
"[He] hasn't indicated that he'd prefer to stay in Victoria, he'll obviously go where he needs to go to continue his career, that's not a determining factor at this point."
Kaider said Moloney probably won't find a new home until next week partly due to Adelaide forward Kurt Tippett's decision to seek a trade.
"We've had some really good conversations this week with clubs, again, whether we get a deal done with anyone this week, probably unlikely, I think it's probably going to play out more into next week," he said.
"Tippett coming out and saying he wanted to leave Adelaide has certainly put a spanner in the works for a few guys."
Kaider said his two Port Adelaide free agents, Steven Salopek and Jacob Surjan were in a similar boat, despite revealing Surjan was keen to remain at the Power.
"Surjan, from our point of view, is certainly keen to continue at Port Adelaide. He'll obviously explore what the free agency market looks like, but I think his intention right now is to stay," he said.
"It's really subject to the coaching situation and the new coach and what they want to do.
"Salopek, on the other hand, he's made it pretty clear publicly that he's moving on.
"That'll play out over the next couple of weeks as well."
Harry Thring is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry.
