ESSENDON'S hunt for an experienced leader saw the Bombers enquire about luring Collingwood champion Scott Pendlebury to finish his career in the red and black.
The Bombers are chasing leaders to add to their young squad after a horror season, with the club staring down the barrel of just its second wooden spoon in more than 90 years.
They have targeted Brisbane free agent Lachie Neale for a playing and then coaching position, with former coach Brad Scott meeting with the two-time Brownlow medallist earlier this season.
They were also interested in Gold Coast midfielder Touk Miller, with the Bombers having been prepared to do a longer-term deal for him to consider a return to Victoria. Miller has instead been keen to kickstart early talks with the Suns on an extension there.
And AFL.com.au can reveal the Bombers have also shown interest in Pendlebury, who is weighing up his plans for 2027 and is out of contract at the Pies.
However, despite the Bombers' enquiries, Pendlebury has ruled out a switch to Essendon in a move that would have included a playing and coaching component. Pendlebury is widely seen as a coach in waiting given his coaching work at Haileybury College at school level as well as his sharp eye and brilliant game sense.
The Bombers are expected to lose their oldest player – Zach Merrett, who turns 31 in October – in a trade this off-season.
Essendon's drawn out coaching process has made it tougher for the Bombers to be able to pitch themselves as an option for players in recent months, with the club now expected to make a decision on their successor to Scott within the next week.
Pendlebury, the 38-year-old VFL/AFL games record holder, is set to make a decision on his future at the end of Collingwood's season, with his focus on the Pies' finals series. He was managed last week in the Magpies' trip west to face West Coast, but has averaged 24 disposals in his 15 games this season.
As AFL.com.au reported in July, Pendlebury's three options are to retire at season's end, play on for another year at Collingwood or seek a move elsewhere, with rival clubs having reached out to assess his plans for 2027.
