ESSENDON is confident of keeping Jake Carlisle despite three remarkable outbursts in the past three weeks from the disenchanted key forward.

Carlisle vented his frustration in Round 18 against the Western Bulldogs, against Greater Western Sydney the next week when he was rotated to the bench and again on the field towards opponents on Saturday against Adelaide.

Clearly frustrated with the club leading up to this week’s move on James Hird, Carlisle let rip against the Giants.

After he walked through the interchange lines, Carlisle screamed: “This club is f---ed.’’

The outburst was heard by club officials on the bench and fans sitting in the rows closest to the interchange area.

Bombers officials have confirmed to the Herald Sun the comment was made, but one said it was taken out of context and that Carlisle was frustrated and trying to motivate his teammates.

The other two outbursts came in play.

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Against the Dogs at Etihad Stadium, a match the Bombers lost by 87 points, Carlisle told at least one Bulldogs forward that he was counting down the matches before leaving at the end of the season.

The third spray occurred in Saturday’s loss to the Crows.

Carlisle’s teammate have been told of a conversation between Carlisle and Crows forwards, where Carlisle went even further and said he didn’t care about the result because he would not be at the club next year.

The conversation made its way to other Crows players who then told Essendon players what was said.

media_camera Jake Carlisle expresses his frustration during Essendon’s loss to Geelong in Round 10.

The temperamental forward, 23, is out of contract at the end of the season and his manager, Anthony McConville, confirmed at the weekend contract talks are on hold until then.

Carlisle had a good relationship with Hird, despite Hird playing him as a forward when Carlisle wanted to be a defender. How Hird’s departure on Tuesday will affect his future is unclear.

But one Bombers source said: “Don’t be surprised if Carlisle stays.”

The Herald Sun reported this week Carlisle is being inundated by offers from club including Carlton.

The Western Bulldogs are said to be wary of Carlisle’s price tag and inconsistent attitude.

media_camera Jake Carlisle watches James Hird’s farewell press conference on Tuesday. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

McConville was adamant Carlisle had not met with or agreed to terms with a rival club.

The Bombers would be certain to receive a first-round pick for Carlisle and depending on the quality of that pick, could ask for a future pick as well as part of the deal.

Free agents Tom Bellchambers and Courtenay Dempsey are yet to sign, Dustin Fletcher, Jason Winderlich and Paul Chapman will retire and Tayte Pears and Elliott Kavanagh face uncertain futures.

Former Bombers coach Mark Thompson said of Carlisle in June: “I would think you would try and keep him, but you wouldn’t pay over the odds for him.’’

Speaking on radio on Thursday morning, Essendon great Tim Watson admitted Carlisle’s outbursts wasn’t “a great look”, but said it showed the frustration the players were enduring.

Watson said he’d be surprised if Carlisle hadn’t been told to curb his anger.

“I think that goes to the heart of the frustration,” he said on SEN.

“Obviously you don’t want to have that but where they’re at right now … players in this modern era are encouraged about coaching each other when they’re out on the ground. Now, there’s coaching and there’s disagreements, and there’s a fine line probably between the two, but it’s not a great look. It’s not a great thing to have out there.

“I’d be surprised if that conversation (about quelling his behaviour) hasn’t taken place. He’ll read this or somebody will talk to him about it, and if he hasn’t got the message yet, you’d hope that he gets it soon.”

Watson doesn’t believe it will have an impact on the potential suitors for the key forward, who is out of contract at the end of the season.

“No, I don’t think so,” he said.

“The Essendon players would say internally that he’s very well-liked by the players and the like.

“You read that and you think OK here he is, he’s isolated, he’s an island out there, maybe he’s going to definitely go, but is it the feeling in the football club that he will take off at the end of the year?”