ESSENDON has well and truly entered the race for Dylan Shiel.

The Bombers joined Hawthorn, Carlton and St Kilda in the hunt to secure the star Giant’s services for 2019 and beyond.

But while Carlton flew Shiel to Noosa in a private jet as part of its bid, and St Kilda has offered the most money to Shiel, Essendon took a more low-key approach.

Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph said some of Essendon’s senior players had caught up with Shiel at an Elwood cafe to pitch the Bombers' case.

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“But no private jet today, or in fact yesterday. A much more Essendon feel. I think you’d like this kind of overture,” Ralph said on Fox Footy’s Trade Lowdown.

“Five senior players at a little cafe in Elwood called Little Sunflower. Those players included Dyson Heppell, David Zaharakis, Joe Daniher, Tom Bellchambers.

“They clearly know they can’t offer the money. They also know that they’ve have Pick 8 and would maybe have to give up their first rounder for next year.

“But they believe they’re in the premiership window and they still believe they are in the race.”

Dylan Shiel. (AAP Image/David Mariuz) Source: AAP

Shiel and GWS teammate Tom Scully have both been linked to Essendon this trade period.

Essendon star Devon Smith said he would speak to both players if they were looking for advice — but stopped short of saying he would look to convince them to join the Bombers.