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THE Western Bulldogs have made a double-barrelled assault on two Essendon forwards - Scott Gumbleton and Stewart Crameri.
They hope to squirrel one of the out-of-contract key forwards out of Windy Hill at the end of the season, although they are expected to have competition for Gumbleton from Carlton.
Crameri is expected to re-sign with the Bombers. The Bulldogs and Blues gave 24-year-old Gumbleton a medical assessment last year, which he failed.
He signed a one-year contract at the Bombers and has proved this year he is over his hamstring/back complaints and has played every game, be it in the AFL or VFL.
The emergence of Joe Daniher makes it increasingly likely Gumbleton would remain a back-up forward if he chose to stay at Windy Hill.
The Bulldogs are desperate to bulk up their forward line to assist the emerging Liam Jones, while the Blues need key forwards which would mean (1) they didn't play their ruckmen out of the goalsquare and (2) they could entertain a trade for either Robert Warnock or Shaun Hampson.
Gumbleton could earn as much as $300,000 - which would be heavily incentive-based - if he switched clubs.
With Gumbleton a No.2 draft pick, the Bombers would hope for an early second-round selection in a trade.
Crameri, also 24, is the No.1 target for the Dogs and their offer is about $450,000 a season for three years.
The Bombers have countered with an offer of about $350,000-$380,000 a season.
Although Crameri struck up a close relationship with Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney during McCartney's one year at Essendon, his relationship with Bombers coach James Hird is almost certain to result in him knocking back rival offers.
The Bombers are extremely confident Crameri will sign a new contract.
The worry is exactly when.
Manager Paul Connors is in charge of Gumbleton and Crameri, and Connors is currently overseas.
There is a belief he wants to wait until the drugs investigation is over before completing any deals.
Bulldogs chief executive Simon Garlich last night would not discuss specific names, but said the club would be aggressive in the market place, nowithstanding GWS auctioning off of the No.1 pick in the national draft.
"We will be similar to most clubs and we will going as hard as we can within reason," Garlich said. "We will be targeting specific players in assisting us."
The Blues will meet during the coming weeks to discuss their list management, including Gumbleton.
Another out-of-contract Bomber, Tom Bellchambers, is understood to be of interest to GWS and Collingwood.
THE Western Bulldogs have made a double-barrelled assault on two Essendon forwards - Scott Gumbleton and Stewart Crameri.
They hope to squirrel one of the out-of-contract key forwards out of Windy Hill at the end of the season, although they are expected to have competition for Gumbleton from Carlton.
Crameri is expected to re-sign with the Bombers. The Bulldogs and Blues gave 24-year-old Gumbleton a medical assessment last year, which he failed.
He signed a one-year contract at the Bombers and has proved this year he is over his hamstring/back complaints and has played every game, be it in the AFL or VFL.
The emergence of Joe Daniher makes it increasingly likely Gumbleton would remain a back-up forward if he chose to stay at Windy Hill.
The Bulldogs are desperate to bulk up their forward line to assist the emerging Liam Jones, while the Blues need key forwards which would mean (1) they didn't play their ruckmen out of the goalsquare and (2) they could entertain a trade for either Robert Warnock or Shaun Hampson.
Gumbleton could earn as much as $300,000 - which would be heavily incentive-based - if he switched clubs.
With Gumbleton a No.2 draft pick, the Bombers would hope for an early second-round selection in a trade.
Crameri, also 24, is the No.1 target for the Dogs and their offer is about $450,000 a season for three years.
The Bombers have countered with an offer of about $350,000-$380,000 a season.
Although Crameri struck up a close relationship with Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney during McCartney's one year at Essendon, his relationship with Bombers coach James Hird is almost certain to result in him knocking back rival offers.
The Bombers are extremely confident Crameri will sign a new contract.
The worry is exactly when.
Manager Paul Connors is in charge of Gumbleton and Crameri, and Connors is currently overseas.
There is a belief he wants to wait until the drugs investigation is over before completing any deals.
Bulldogs chief executive Simon Garlich last night would not discuss specific names, but said the club would be aggressive in the market place, nowithstanding GWS auctioning off of the No.1 pick in the national draft.
"We will be similar to most clubs and we will going as hard as we can within reason," Garlich said. "We will be targeting specific players in assisting us."
The Blues will meet during the coming weeks to discuss their list management, including Gumbleton.
Another out-of-contract Bomber, Tom Bellchambers, is understood to be of interest to GWS and Collingwood.
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