GEELONG midfielder Jack Bowes has requested a trade to Essendon, according to AFL.com.au's Cal Twomey.
Bowes had attracted interest from both Essendon and North Melbourne in recent weeks after playing just nine senior games for the Cats this season.
Bowes joined Geelong from Gold Coast at the end of 2022 in a famous 'salary dump' deal, where he and the No.7 pick arrived at the Cattery in exchange for a future third-round selection, with Geelong paying all of his heavily back-ended salary.
The Bombers had chased the Queenslander before he joined the Cats and circled back again this year, with Bowes meeting with new Essendon coach Mark McVeigh and list manager Matt Rosa last week.
Geelong had offered Bowes another contract to stay, while AFL.com.au revealed last month that North Melbourne also had interest.
Cats footy boss Andrew Mackie said on Thursday the club is open to Bowes exploring opportunities elsewhere.
"We've had pretty open dialogue with him. He's a great guy. When guys are out of the team, we feel that we do need to have a conversation with them if they can better their career, then that's something we'd always like to do as a footy club," Mackie said on Continental Tyres AFL Trade Radio.
"Now the next bit is can you always follow through on it? Maybe not, but you know, if it is right for Jack and us then we'd be okay with it."
Bowes' call is a boost for the Bombers after Luke Pedlar, Jake Riccardi and Sam Marshall all chose rival options this week.
The club is also in the mix for Melbourne midfielder Jack Viney and Western Bulldogs forward Laitham Vandermeer.