Essendon and Port Adelaide are vying to secure veteran former Demons ruckman Mark Jamar as a top-up player for this season.

Unable to regularly make lowly Melbourne's best team last year, managing just the five matches, the 32-year-old former All-Australian is being pursued by both clubs in need of ruck support. Jamar is already working at Essendon as a part-time ruck coach.

In demand: Mark Jamar. Credit:Joe Armao

Port Adelaide, like St Kilda, have applied to the AFL to be given the same right as Essendon to contract top-up players to compensate for those lost to the 'Essendon 34' year-long doping suspension.

The AFL has asked all clubs for their feedback on allowing affected clubs other than Essendon to be given special consideration. The clubs are expected to give a response by early next week.