ESSENDON free agent Courtenay Dempsey has attracted the interest of the Sydney Swans as he waits to receive a contract offer from the Bombers.
It's believed the Swans have enquired about Dempsey, who could join them automatically as an unrestricted free agent if the club's interest progresses.
The Bombers have yet to present an offer to Dempsey for 2016, and are waiting to appoint their new senior coach before making a decision on a number of out-of-contract players.
Dons 'refreshing' their list: Dodoro
Dempsey's manager, Shane Casley, last week told AFL.com.au the 28-year-old had started to get some rival interest but that his first choice would be to stay at Essendon.
"He's a very, very loyal guy and he's always indicated to me he wants to play his whole career at Essendon," Casley said.
"He's played his whole footy career at Essendon, but in saying that we need to assess any offer we get and go from there. Certainly his first preference will be to stay."
Dempsey played 13 games for the Bombers this season between injury problems and chunks of time in the VFL, but enjoyed the best game of his season when he kicked two goals from 19 disposals against Gold Coast in round 21.
Essendon list manager Adrian Dodoro told AFL.com.au's Road to the Draft podcast this week that talks with Dempsey would continue soon.
"Dempsey played reasonably well towards the end part of the season. Again the challenge for Courtenay is to get himself into great shape and show us that he really wants to be part of the team going forward," Dodoro said.
"He does want to do that. What we've said to Courtenay is sit down with the coach in the next couple of weeks and just see what both parties want from each other.
"I suspect that he's a strong chance to be at the club next year."
After a short break, Dempsey has already started training again at Essendon.
Alex Browne, Will Hams, Elliott Kavanagh, Nick O'Brien, Tayte Pears and Ariel Steinberg are among the Bombers in contract limbo ahead of the trade period, but Dodoro confirmed this week rookie ruckman Shaun McKernan would be re-contracted and upgraded to the senior list for 2016.
Brent Stanton, another unrestricted free agent, is away from Melbourne and will make a decision on his future upon his return.
"He'll come back and speak to the new coach hopefully soon. I'm confident that will be resolved and Brett will be at the Bombers next year. He wants to be there, we want him," Dodoro said.
"Sometimes contracts take a little bit longer and there's sticking points. I think it's in that category. I'm not too concerned at this point."
