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Former club captain Matthew LloydEssendon to consider letting star midfielder Darcy Parish leave the club in order to bolster its weak defence.
Parish is one of two star Bombers currently out of contract, alongside defender Mason Redman, and is yet to decide on whether he will remain at the club beyond this year.
The 25-year-old is currently sidelined with a calf injury, but has been one of the AFL’s most dominant midfielders this season, averaging 33.5 disposals (2nd in the AFL) and 8.5 clearances per game (1st in the AFL) through the first eight rounds.
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Despite Parish’s prolific numbers this season, Lloyd said the Bombers can afford to let him walk in order to bolster a back line which has been overmatched numerous times this season.
“Do they let go of Darcy Parish and go after – in a trade – a gun centre half back?,” Lloyd asked on Nine’s AFL Sunday Footy Show.
“We can let go of a midfielder because we’re not too bad in that area, and can we go and get someone who’s available and out of contract.
“Can we target someone (a club) who says we desperately need a midfielder but we’ll give you that centre half back.
“These guys are more replaceable than you think, in my opinion. He’s kicked one goal for the year.
“Start at the top (calibre of centre half backs), because I think that’s an area which is their biggest weakness right now.”
Essendon’s backline has suffered this season through both the retirement of long-time defensive stalwart Michael Hurley and injuries to key position duo James Stewart and Zach Reid.
The Bombers had hoped Reid would form the backbone of a strong defensive back six after selecting him with a first-round pick in the 2020 draft, but the 21-year-old has only managed eight games across his first two seasons at the AFL level.
Reid had been closing in on a return to the AFL team in recent weeks before recently suffering a hamstring injury that is expected to keep him sidelined for the medium term.
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