Hope for Goddard to stay at Bombers

ESSENDON is open to Brendon Goddard playing on next year as the 33-year-old continues his strong form.

Goddard admitted recently his future was “unclear”, unaware if Essendon wanted him to play on.

But after finishing second in last year’s Crichton Medal, Goddard is averaging 24 possessions a game in another strong season.

Those discussions will take place close to the end of the year, but Essendon head of football Dan Richardson was yesterday optimistic about his future.

Goddard is out of contract along with Tom Bellchambers, Mark Baguley, Josh Green and Shaun McKernan.

Bellchambers turns 29 in July and is certain to be contracted given strong form, despite his free-agency status.

“We are very open-minded. Tom has been terrific and is clearly our No.1 ruckman,’’ Richardson said.

“With BJ (Goddard), in any young team it’s important that you have enough experience around them … so we are certainly very open-minded about the role that Brendon can continue to play beyond this year.”

The Bombers continue to proceed cautiously with spearhead Joe Daniher, who is making slow progress with his osteitis pubis.

Coach John Worsfold said yesterday that “he’s a long way off”, given his issues. If the Dons fail to make finals and he does not make rapid progress there is a real prospect he won’t play again this year.

Richardson said Goddard would continue his strengthening program, and surgery was a prospect.