EXCLUSIVE

Jason Winderlich has asked Essendon to release him from his contract for next season so that he can play on with Richmond.

Winderlich, who announced his retirement late in the season and played out the year in rejuvenated form, has received an offer from the Tigers to continue his career there.

Like Paddy Ryder, who has asked the Bombers to trade him to Port Adelaide, Winderlich has asked the the club to allow him a fresh start elsewhere as he nears the end of his career.

It is understood that the 29-year-old did not participate in the club's supplements program and is not among the players to have received a show cause notice, but that he believes he only has a year or two left in his body and would like to play out his career in a less uncertain environment.