Essendon GM of list and recruiting Adrian Dodoro says the club’s key priority for the 2019 Telstra AFL Trade Period is to retain its playing list.

Contracted Bomber Joe Daniher requested a trade to Sydney on Saturday and Dodoro expressed his initial disappointment but said Essendon will be doing what it can to keep the star forward on its squad.

“It’s disappointing when you hold a player like Joey in such high regard,” Dodoro said on Monday morning.

“He’s a wonderful player, a great person and, as we’ve expressed to Joey, it’s our intention to make sure he stays around at our club for many years to come. 

“That’s our intention and we’ve expressed that to Joey and to his management team. He is contracted and we’d like him to fulfil that contract."

Dodoro also confirmed no other players have expressed any intentions to leave the club ahead of the 2020 season.

“Contrary to media speculation, no other player has asked to be traded, so we go in with an open mind in the next week and a half,” he said. 

Clubs began meetings at Marvel Stadium on Monday morning and Dodoro said the Bombers will have their eyes out for any potential chances to strengthen the club’s midfield and ruck stocks.

“We’ve got a number of areas that we would like to bolster.

“We’d like to come out with a midfielder, obviously, and some ruck support for Tommy (Bellchambers) and Sammy Draper would be nice as well.”

The busy period is one of extreme importance for Dodoro and his team and he said the focus will continue to be on securing the best possible list for the club to achieve sustained success in the future.

“It’s just part and parcel of the job, we’ve got a job to do.

“The number one key priority is to do the best we can for the Essendon Football Club. That’s the only thing we are here to do; to get the right outcome. 

“We’re after a period of sustained success for the club and we’ll be working really, really hard to make sure that everything’s in order for a successful period.”

The trade period will conclude at 7:30pm (AEDT) on Wednesday, October 16. 

This news is brought to you by Orchard HRO, the club's official recruitment and list management partner.