ESSENDON midfielder David Zaharakis is becoming increasingly concerned that suspended teammate Michael Hibberd will not be at the Bombers in 2017.

Melbourne has declared its interest in the tough 26-year-old defender who has played 84 games with the Bombers since he made his debut in 2011.

Zaharakis told RSN radio he hoped Hibberd, who is contracted until the end of 2017, returned to Essendon, but conceded reports of Melbourne's interest had him worried.

"The more you hear about these reports and the stronger they feel, then the more you worry that he might not be there," Zaharakis said.

"He's a required Essendon player [and] he is contracted so if he wants to move he has to seek a trade. Hopefully he does stay at the footy club, but at the moment I am unsure."

Zaharakis said whatever happened he expected the suspended players who were yet to re-commit to make a decision by September 13, the day on which they were allowed to return to the club and train.

Along with Hibberd, Michael Hurley, Jobe Watson, Brent Stanton, Ben Howlett and Tayte Pears are yet to declare their intentions for 2017.

Although contracted until the end of 2017, All Australian defender Hurley will be offered a long-term extension beyond next year by the Bombers to try to ward off interest from other clubs.

"Hopefully they have all made decisions by then, which will be in the next two months," Zaharakis said.

"Then the club can do whatever they need to do in the trade period and off-season period getting ready for next year."

Zaharakis also said he was not surprised to receive a one-week suspension for punching West Coast's Jackson Nelson in the stomach in round 15.

He described his act as undisciplined and admitted that the punch was too forceful.

"I was getting quite frustrated with the tag at the time. I let that get to my head and had a second of non-thinking," Zaharakis said.