ESSENDON has withdrawn from the race for Melbourne veteran Jack Viney, opening the door for the midfielder to join West Coast.

Viney did a medical with the Bombers over the weekend, but Mark McVeigh's side has opted to prioritise giving opportunities to the club's promising youngsters instead.

"We had some good discussions with Jack and his management, but we’ve decided to prioritise the young midfielders that we've got coming through," Essendon list manager Matt Rosa told AFL.com.au's Cal Twomey on Continental Tyres AFL Trade Radio.

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"A few of those have come on quite quickly which has placed a bit of a squeeze in the midfield, and we've also got some players on our list fighting for spots," Rosa said. 

"It's always a really tough one when Jack's such a great human and such a great leader, but we've decided to prioritise our young fellas at this stage."

Both Dyson Sharp and Sullivan Robey made an immediate impact in their first season at the Bombers, joining the likes of Sam Durham, Jye Caldwell, Darcy Parish in the on-ball brigade. 

The Demons met with Viney late in the season to discuss his future, with coach Steven King highlighting how he wants the midfield mix to look moving forward. 

"We had a really honest conversation with Jack where Steven wanted to explain to him what the midfield mix would look like next year, and then the flow on effect is how that could potentially affect Jack's role in that midfield," Melbourne list manager Tim Lamb told Twomey on Trade Radio.

"It was really honest, really respectful, which is 100 per cent what Jack deserves considering what he’s given our footy club and his standing at our club. We felt we needed to be 100 per cent honest with Jack so that he had the opportunity to make the best decision for him and his family."

Essendon's withdrawal from the race puts the Eagles in pole position to secure the veteran Demon's services.

"We put a pretty good case to him as to where it sits football wise. It's a big family and lifestyle decision for him with a young family," West Coast list manager Matt Clarke told Twomey on Trade Radio.

"We think Jack can complement what we’ve got from a senior point of view on-field at his very best. We understand where Jack's at with his footy, obviously had limited opportunity this year, but we think physically he can get back to pretty good health," Clarke said.

"He's obviously one of the better leaders and cultural shapers you'll find in the competition. We think that’ll help us as a young and emerging group."

Viney would help the club's emerging group, which includes the likes of Harley Reid, Willem Duursma and Reuben Ginbey. 

Rosa confirmed Essendon will continue to pursue Western Bulldogs forward Laitham Vandermeer, while the Bombers also hold interest in young Brisbane forward Will McLachlan and delisted Fremantle defender Bailey Banfield.