Essendon is putting together a bold pitch for Hawthorn champion Shane Crawford — the second time in 12 months the Bombers have pursued a marquee midfielder.

It is understood that Crawford was discussed when Hawthorn and Essendon met yesterday to talk over their trade intentions but it is also understood that, even before the meeting, the Dons had been laying the groundwork for a deal that could reshape next month's trade period.

Twelve months ago, when Crawford was rumoured to be reciprocating Sydney's interest in him, Hawthorn's then acting chief executive, Jason Dunstall, said of Crawford: "I struggle to come to grips with even imagining under what circumstances you would trade him."

However, circumstances at Hawthorn have changed. Crawford is a year older, the club is poised to announce an operating loss and financial restraint is being enforced.

Moreover, there is a view that a team that won only five games this year and is being rebuilt for contention in three or four years' time is unlikely to be much worse for Crawford's departure.

Hawthorn played a straight bat to suggestions that it would contemplate trading its 1999 Brownlow medallist and captain of six seasons. "Shane is contracted for 2006 and is a required player," said Hawthorn's general manager of player personnel, Chris Pelchen.

Crawford's manager, Brad Lloyd, said only: "Shane is contracted to Hawthorn for next year and is content. He will be playing at Hawthorn."

But a deal that on face value appears to make little sense reflects Essendon's belief in its ability to swiftly return to finals contention and determination to import an elite midfielder to see that ambition realised.

The Dons sought Western Bulldogs centreman Scott West last year, believing that his centre-

square experience could stem the team's midfield decline and buy time for a new group to emerge. West was then only weeks away from his 30th birthday. Crawford turned 31 last week.

Numerous obstacles stand in the way of what would be a remarkable late-career change for Crawford and a trade unlike anything Essendon has engineered in the draft era. For almost 20 years it has been Kevin Sheedy's philosophy to trade into the draft by exchanging players for picks and build the list from within.

The Dons would have to accommodate one of the highest salaries in the game. Crawford, who has half of his money exempted from Hawthorn's salary cap because of his veteran status, is to be paid as much as $750,000 by the Hawks next season — the final year on his contract.

If Essendon were able to negotiate new terms with Crawford — a two-year arrangement on less money, for instance — the Dons would still need to compensate Hawthorn for the loss of one of its greats, admittedly one in the last years of his career.

Twelve months ago, West was entertaining the idea of a switch to Windy Hill but Essendon's 11th-hour offer to the Dogs was dismissed as an insult. Darren Walsh, a player who was subsequently delisted, was offered, and to compound the slight the Dons also asked the Bulldogs to continue to pay a portion of West's wage.

Not for the first time, the former Hawk captain has been recently linked with Sydney. Crawford is on holiday in Bali and not due to return until the weekend, but Hawthorn is aware of a meeting he held a fortnight ago with former Hawthorn assistant coach George Stone, a close friend and Sydney's forward scout.

The club has been fielding queries about Crawford's intentions since, much as it did last season after he relinquished the captaincy and was said to be disillusioned and interested in finishing his career elsewhere.