Essendon List and Recruiting Manager Adrian Dodoro says a deal to send Michael Hibberd to Melbourne has made little progress.

Both clubs agree he’s worth a second round selection but the impasse revolves around whether Melbourne gives up its second round pick this year or its 2017 second round selection.

“Quite clearly we think he’s a second round selection in this year’s draft,” Dodoro said.

“Melbourne is fairly adamant that they don’t want to give up this year’s second round selection and have offered their future second round selection. 

“There are some discussions being had on that.

“Logic says that the deal will get done.  Obviously we’ve got a position and they’ve got a position and we’ve got to get to a resolution.” 

The Bombers have also been linked to Gold Coast midfielder Jaeger O’Meara.

The 22 year old has expressed his desire to go to Hawthorn. 

“Our understanding is he’s committed to going there,” Dodoro said. 

“It’s up to the Gold Coast and Hawthorn to do that trade and it really is of no consequence to us at this point other than if the deal doesn’t get done then we’ll be sitting here waiting. 

“We’ve asked the question and quite clearly he wants to get to Hawthorn so we’re just sitting in the background and watching it, but I would assume he would get to Hawthorn.”

Dodoro said the Bombers were keen to hold on to the number one pick in the draft.

The player selected with that blue-chip pick will join ten other ‘new recruits’ at the Club next season.

The ten returning players include All-Australians Cale Hooker, Michael Hurley, Jobe Watson and Dyson Heppell.

“It feels like it has been a really long trade period for us - it’s been a trade period that’s gone all year,” Dodoro said.

“When you consider that we’ve had a bit of a fight on our hands to get our list back and we are rapt as a Club that ten of the boys are coming back.

“They’re in great shape, they’re really enthusiastic. 

“On top of that the bonus was that we unearthed a lot of players last year that we wouldn’t have. 

“To integrate the new and the old is going to be exciting and also we’ve been able to pick up Matt Dea and James Kelly.

“For us it has been list spots which has been the issue and we’ve targeted specific players rather than just going out and doing deals for the sake of it.

‘We’re in a really good spot and we’re looking forward to next year.”