ESSENDON has won the four-club race for Dylan Shiel, with the Greater Western Sydney midfielder nominating the Bombers as his preferred new home on Tuesday afternoon.
Shiel is contracted at GWS for 2019 but has met with Essendon, Hawthorn, St Kilda and Carlton in recent weeks after the Giants gave him permission to explore a move home to Victoria.
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The midfielder is yet to make an announcement on his plans but the Hawks, Saints and Blues were advised of his decision around lunchtime on Tuesday.
Shiel, who arrived into Melbourne on Tuesday morning, thrashed out the deal with agents Paul Connors and Robbie D'Orazio in a two-hour meeting.
"I'm just trying to make a balanced decision for myself and my family for my future and my career," Shiel told AFL.com.au at Melbourne Airport.
Essendon will now have to broker a trade with the Giants, who are likely to demand the Bombers' first-round pick, which sits at No.9 overall, as a starting point for Shiel.
The Dons' next pick does not fall until No.34, which is unlikely to be a satisfactory secondary trade piece for GWS, so they could be asked to include a future pick in the deal.
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GWS football manager Wayne Campbell said the club will be looking for picks in any potential trade.
"We'd be looking for picks, for sure," Campbell told NAB AFL Trade Radio.
"I don't think it's appropriate that we negotiate publicly through this.
"He's a really, really good player. Essendon, St Kilda, Hawthorn and Carlton thought the same thing, they wooed him and offered him reasonable contracts.
"We'll come to some sort of arrangement but we do have the ability for Dylan to play for the Giants in 2019.
"But clearly, he's chosen Essendon so we'll deal with them in good faith.
"Jason McCartney and Adrian Dodoro have been in touch and they'll sit down tomorrow and try to facilitate a trade."
Hawthorn and Carlton had been widely viewed as the frontrunners to win Shiel's signature, but there was speculation on Monday the Bombers were making a late run.
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In convincing Shiel to pursue a move to Tullamarine, Essendon has underlined its status as one of the most appealing destinations in the competition.
The Bombers had a bumper trade period last year, bringing in Devon Smith, Adam Saad and Jake Stringer to the club.
If they finalise a trade for Shiel, 25, they will address the one glaring need on their list – a lack of inside ball-winners.
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Shiel was an All Australian in 2017 after averaging 26.2 possessions and finishing second at the Giants for contested possessions (11.1 a game) and clearances (6.4).
The former Dandenong Stingray did not reach the same heights this season, but still finished sixth in the GWS best and fairest count after averaging 25.9 possessions, 9.3 contested possessions and 4.5 clearances.
