Essendon remain mystified as to why they cannot achieve closure with controversial former Bomber Jake Carlisle, who has not yet lodged a compensation claim against the club.

Having settled 30 of the grievance claims made against the club by the 34 players suspended last season by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Bombers CEO Xavier Campbell and his team have not yet managed to resolve their legal issues with three other former Essendon players including Nathan Lovett-Murray.

But they are understood to have become increasingly frustrated with Carlisle's advisers as they seek to move forward in 2017 and out of the shadow of the drug scandal that has haunted the club for four years.

Carlisle cut a disenchanted and embittered figure during his last season at the Bombers although in recent months his public comments have indicated he was keen to move on from the drugs saga.