Essendon are convinced their incoming Todd Goldstein-Sam Draper partnership can flourish despite seeing Melbourne's high-profile experiment with two rucks fall flat.
Goldstein's move to the Bombers was confirmed on Monday, with the veteran likely to be followed by North Melbourne teammate Ben McKay to Tullamarine.
Essendon are also interested in St Kilda's Jade Gresham while Port Adelaide's Xavier Duursma, who is contracted until the end of 2024, requested a trade to the Bombers on Monday evening.
"The club will work with Essendon and Duursma's manager to reach an appropriate outcome," Port Adelaide said in a statement.
Defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher wants a move to the Power but it is unclear if that will be linked to a deal for Duursma.
Essendon declared Dylan Shiel a required player, then confirmed he was likely to miss four-to-six weeks of training after requiring surgery to repair a meniscus tear in his knee.
Goldstein's move to Essendon on a one-year deal comes as Melbourne appear likely to trade Brodie Grundy to Sydney, just a year after acquiring the two-time All-Australian from Collingwood to play alongside Max Gawn.
The Demons persisted with the Grundy-Gawn combination until late in the season, when Grundy was dropped.
But Essendon believe they can make it work with Goldstein, who reunites with coach Brad Scott after they spent 10 years together at Arden Street.
"What gives me confidence is that Brad likes to play two rucks and that's the way he structures up each week," Essendon list boss Adrian Dodoro said.
"So it's part of our DNA as a team that we play two rucks.
"We also feel that Drapes can go forward and play as a robust, big forward at times.
"So I think it'll just add another string to the team."
Dodoro insisted concerns over Draper's groin hadn't factored into the decision to lure Goldstein.
He said an operation on Draper had been a success and he was expected to be available for round one.
Essendon also have developing young ruck Nick Bryan, and hope he can learn from Goldstein, who at 35 could yet be their first-choice ruckman.
"The intention is to have a great ruck combination," Dodoro said.
"Form will determine it. I don't think anyone's got a right over the number one ruck spot.
"If (Goldstein is) the best going around and in form, then he'll get the opportunity."
North will wait for the AFL's compensation pick offer for McKay before working out whether to match Essendon's offer to the restricted free agent.
The Kangaroos hope to receive pick No.3 and will match the Bombers' offer if McKay draws an end-of-first-round pick.
