Brendon Goddard has nominated Essendon as his preferred destination as a restricted free agent, and the Bombers have tabled an offer to the St. Kilda star.

So what happens now?

1. The AFL received the paperwork from Essendon at 11am on Monday signalling that it had tabled an official offer to Goddard.

2. The Saints are now on the clock. They have 72 hours from Essendon's notification, which will be 11am Thursday, to consider the offer and decide whether to match it.

3. The Saints don't have to formally respond for 72 hours. If they reach a decision one way or another sooner than that, they can inform the player, the Bombers and the market of their intentions.

4. By Thursday afternoon, Goddard will either be an Essendon player, or considering other options. If St Kilda decides to match the offer, Goddard's choices are to remain with St Kilda, seek a trade to the Bombers during the AFL exchange period, which starts next Monday, or nominate for the NAB AFL Draft and find his way to his club of choice through that mechanism.

5. The AFL will publish a daily bulletin at close of business, formally advising clubs, the media and the football public of offers which have been made.

6. Should the Saints decide not to match the offer for Goddard, the compensation they receive from the AFL will be determined at the end of the free agency period, once the net effect of all movements in and out of the club during this period is known.