SYDNEY will not put its prized pick No.4 at this year's NAB AFL Draft up for trade in a possible deal for Essendon star Joe Daniher.

The Swans are courting the Essendon spearhead as he contemplates a future away from the Bombers, despite being contracted for next year.

Daniher, who has played only 11 games in the past two seasons due to a debilitating groin injury, has not yet told the Bombers he is seeking a trade.

But if he does, AFL.com.au understands the Swans will not want pick four to be part of the possible deal to secure the 25-year-old.

The Swans have not had a top-10 pick at the draft who wasn't tied to their Academy in a decade, with Gary Rohan (pick No.6 in the 2009 intake) the last.

They have matched bids for Callum Mills (in 2015) and Nick Blakey (last year) inside the top-10 but have otherwise not been active in the early stages of the draft in recent history thus the appeal to hold on to the pick this year.

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Sydney has picked only two non-Academy players with top-10 selections in the past 20 years, with Jarrad McVeigh (pick five in 2002) the other alongside Rohan.

If the Swans are steadfast that their top pick wouldn't be involved in a trade for Daniher, it could open the door for small forward Tom Papley to exit the club.

Carlton and North Melbourne are both vying for the important goalkicker, and both clubs currently hold top-10 selections this year.

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The potential of a Papley move could help facilitate a Daniher deal, with other selections and players also likely to be discussed if Daniher seeks a fresh start.

Papley, like Daniher, is contracted, but is locked in to the club until the end of 2023. He has not asked the Swans for a trade.





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If a deal didn't appease Essendon, the Bombers could hold on to Daniher next season, but he would be able to leave at the end of next year and Essendon would only get one free agency compensation pick in return.

Essendon chief executive Xavier Campbell said this week the Bombers were giving Daniher space to make a decision on his future.

"I probably expect him to be playing at Essendon next year, but we're just going through a process now and we'll have another discussion with Joe next week," he said.