Port Adelaide and Essendon have investigated and discussed a radical plan - similar to the Nick Dal Santo deal of last year - to get Paddy Ryder to the Power and provide better compensation for the Bombers.

The AFL has indicated to both Essendon and Port that Ryder could have his contract voided by mutual consent of club and player, making him a free agent. He can then go to Port as a free agent, with the Bombers receiving a free agent compensation draft pick - from the central pool, not Port - in return.

Within reach? Is a deal to get Paddy Ryder to Port close? Credit:Joe Armao

The rules mean this selection is certain to be an end-of-first-round choice, immediately after Essendon's pick (currently 20).

Under the left-field plan, the Power would then trade its first pick (No. 17) to Essendon in a separate deal - exchanging either an Essendon player and/or picks. So Essendon would end up with picks 17 and 21 in return for Ryder and another player, or a combination of a later pick(s) and a player. Obviously, Essendon would want to give Port a player that it feels it can afford to lose.