RICHMOND has confirmed it is interested in securing Essendon speedster Jason Winderlich if a deal can be struck to acquire him as a free agent during the trade period. 

The Tigers could also secure Winderlich in a trade but AFL.com.au understands the club favours gaining him via free agency. 

Winderlich was on the list of free agents at the start of the season but had a trigger clause in his contract that was met during the year, placing him in a similar position contractually in relation to free agency status as St Kilda's Nick Dal Santo in 2013. 

Dal Santo eventually joined North Melbourne as a free agent in 2013 after the Saints realised they could secure pick No.26 as compensation. 

Winderlich unexpectedly announced in early August he was retiring from Essendon after just 128 games in 12 seasons at the Bombers. 

The talented 29-year-old had a wretched run with injuries, including a knee reconstruction in 2011, but appeared to be in the best form in his career in 2014. 

He looked to have had a change of heart however late in the season and was recommencing discussions to continue in 2015 with Essendon. 

His manager Marty Pask told NAB AFL Trade Radio last week that Winderlich was unlikely to play for a club other than Essendon despite reports to the contrary. 

"As it stands at the moment, he has retired," Pask said.

"He is in the stages of assessing what his future looks like. We're having those discussions with Essendon. There's nothing else to suggest he'll be playing anywhere else."

The Tigers have been looking to bolster their midfield depth and missed the pace and run of Matt White in 2014 after he joined Port Adelaide as a free agent during last year's trade period.