Essendon midfielder Darcy Parish has been told he is free to look for a new AFL club despite being under contract for another three seasons.
The 28-year-old endured injury-hit seasons across 2024-25, playing just 15 games in total, and was finally fit this year.
But he fell out of favour under interim coach Dean Solomon, and his Bombers future looks bleak to begin the Mark McVeigh era.
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“The Bombers have told him in his exit meeting you’re welcome to stay, we love you at the club, we think you’re an excellent player for us,” Tom Morris revealed on Channel 7’s The Agenda Setters.
“But a bit like Jack Viney at Melbourne, (Essendon have said) there’s no guarantees that you are in our best 23 and in our best midfield next year, so if you want to have a look, you can do so with our blessing.
“I don’t know if there’s any clubs out there for him, but that’s the message that’s been delivered to him.”
In a twist, Viney has been linked with Essendon despite being three years older than Parish.
“How does that make sense?” Tom Mitchell posed to Morris.
“If they’re saying they’re not going to guarantee Parish games but then potentially look at Viney to come in?”
Morris said the Viney chase is based on the Melbourne 2021 premiership player’s leadership “above all else”.
“They really like Jack Viney’s leadership,” he said.
“But again there’s a bit to play out (before Viney settles his future).”
Parish’s possible exit comes with teammate Zach Merrett bound for Hawthorn one year on from failing to get his wish to join the Hawks.
Merrett, still under contract for 2027 with Essendon, has agreed to a four-year deal worth about $1 million per season to join Hawthorn, according to SEN’s Sam Edmund.
It is unclear what this year’s trade will look like.
Essendon knocked back the Hawks’ offer of two first-round picks, a second-rounder and Henry Hustwaite in last year’s trade period.
New Bombers coach Mark McVeigh recently spoke to Merrett, and said during his first press conference that “it’s really important we understand the players’ feelings”.
“It’s not just about the club’s feelings, it’s about his feelings and where he’s at. I respect him, I want him to be here, but I’ll listen to him as well,” McVeigh said.
