SO DYLAN Shiel has finally made his decision — and Essendon seems set to win the race for his services.

After narrowly missing finals by a game and percentage this season, the Bombers will be aiming to jump into the top eight in 2019.

Shiel’s likely addition will certainly help the Bombers midfield, standing at the centre bounces alongside the likes of Zach Merrett, Dyson Heppell, Devon Smith and Andy McGrath.

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But Shiel is still a contracted player to the Giants, who say he will “remain a Giant should a suitable trade not be reached”.

At this stage, the 25-year-old is set to become a restricted free agent at the end of 2019, having played 135 games for the Giants since being pre-listed as a 17-year-old.

So to avoid any hurdles, how do the Bombers get the deal done?

Essendon currently holds Pick 9 and 34 — and Pick 9 is almost certain to be exchanged in the Shiel deal.

Dylan Shiel is hopeful of landing at Essendon.

The Adam Treloar trade between the Giants and Collingwood in 2015 saw the Pies give up their first-round selection (Pick 7), as well as their 2016 first-round pick and Pick 65. The Pies then received Treloar and a second-round selection (Pick 28).

So with Treloar’s deal involving two first-round selections, the Giants are likely to again ask for a future first-round pick from the Bombers, as well as this year’s Pick 9.

However, a future first-round pick looms as a huge unknown.

The Giants would expect Essendon to improve in 2019, so that future pick could land in the 10 to 18 range, instead of the top 10.

Like Collingwood’s rapid rise this year, the Bombers have the potential to be Grand Finalists in 2019. That would mean the Giants could end up with Pick 18 in 2019.

In past years, the Giants have banked draft selections in order to help them match bids for their own academy players. But future picks aren’t greatly important for the Giants, despite having two academy prospects (Thomas Green and Liam Delahunty) who have shown they are draftable talents in 2019. Neither look like top 20 picks at this stage.

It must also be noted that, unlike Treloar three years ago, Shiel is still contracted to the meaning the Giants will play hardball.

Recently re-contracted Bomber Jayden Laverde could be a player the Giants ask for. Seeing as they lost Will Hoskin-Elliott to the Magpies, half-forward/midfielder Laverde would fit that bill perfectly.

Would the Giants be cheeky and ask for Orazio Fantasia? Adrian Dodoro is a bold operator, but even he wouldn’t consider that.

In fact, it would be hard to see any Essendon player land at GWS considering the latter’s lack of salary cap space.

So do the Bombers have a way to secure a better pick to please the Giants? Without giving a player up, it would make that mighty hard to see.

But if the Bombers were able to turn their Pick 9 into something higher — perhaps a selection inside the top five this year — that would be a lot more appealing for the Giants, who are also set to lose Rory Lobb (Fremantle) and Will Setterfield (Carlton) this trade period.

A key-position swingman such as Ben King might be a potential suitor for GWS.

Dylan Shiel is contracted to the Giants until 2019. Picture: Phil Hillyard

But make no mistake, the Giants will prioritise a higher pick in 2018 than 2019. They are in the ‘premiership window’ and are contending for a flag, so waiting 12 months for a future pick puts them back slightly back, especially if the pick drops in value with a likely rise by the Bombers.

SHORT AND SIMPLE, BUT GIANTS LEFT WANTING MORE

Essendon trade …

— 2018 first round pick (Pick 9), 2019 first-round pick and 2018 second-round pick (Pick 34)

Giants trade …

— Dylan Shiel and 2018 fourth-round pick (Pick 70).