Essendon coach Brad Scott believes the "best case" has been put to keep Sam Draper, insisting the Bombers will continue to play two rucks.
The 26-year-old big man is weighing up offers to join flag contenders Adelaide and the Brisbane Lions as an unrestricted free agent.
The reigning premiers are seemingly positioned well to snare the South Australian-raised Draper, after the Crows recently re-signed big man Reilly O'Brien.
Draper (achilles) and Nick Bryan (knee), who has recommitted to Essendon until the end of 2027, have been sidelined for the majority of this season.
But before their injuries in consecutive weeks, Draper and Bryan were playing in the same team.
The AFL is heading towards removing the sub rule and instead allowing five players on the bench.
"They're very close (friends)," Scott said of Draper and Bryan.
"The evidence at the start of the year was very clear ... they were both playing career-best football together.
"We've been really clear in terms of we'd like to have that ruck partnership into the future.
"The indication with changes to the sub rule only strengthens that case to play two rucks."
Generally, if players haven't re-signed to their current club this late in the season it means they are likely to move in the trade period.
But St Kilda star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera gave other clubs hope this week by ending months of speculation amid big offers from Adelaide and Port Adelaide to re-sign with the Saints.
Essendon aren't forcing a timeline, or putting any extra pressure, on Draper to make up his mind.
"Clearly he's got a lot of interest, but I think we've presented a really strong case as to why he'll play his best football with us," Scott said.
"There's an incredibly strong appetite from a lot of clubs to improve their list through trading and free agency.
"Right at the moment, it feels like more than ever.
"Sam knows how important he is to us, and he knows how much I, in particular, value him.
"But I've made it really clear to him that he's got to come to this decision himself and do what he thinks is in the best interest of his career, and for the rest of his life."
Essendon will play the first of their two round 24 games on Thursday night when they face rivals Carlton at the MCG.
The injury-hit Bombers will be desperate to snap an 11-game losing streak, as heroic captain Zach Merrett plays his 250th game.
Merrett's milestone was supposed to happen last Friday night against St Kilda, but a fractured hand sidelined him for a week and the Bombers suffered a two-point defeat.
The 29-year-old was named when Essendon released their team on Wednesday evening.
"Nothing will stop him playing," Scott said.
"I asked him if he wanted to do a test, and he said, 'no, it's not required', so he'll just be out there."
Veteran Dylan Shiel also returns for what shapes as the 32-year-old's final game at Essendon, with Ben Hobbs and Saad El-Hawli axed.
Carlton have called up Will White and Lucas Camporeale in place of injured pair Lachie Fogarty (ankle) and Cooper Lord (concussion).
After playing Carlton, Essendon will finish off their tough season on Wednesday night against the Suns on the Gold Coast.
This game was supposed to happen in March, but was postponed because of Tropical Cyclone Alfred and moved from the first weekend of the home-and-away season to the last.
