Melbourne and Essendon appear set to become engulfed in a trade stand-off over defender Michael Hibberd.
Hibberd, one of the Bombers' banned AFL players, is contracted to the club until the end of next season. However, the Demons are reportedly said to be confident of landing him for next season.
However, Essendon are likely to request a first-round draft pick in return for the trade, and given the Demons' top pick is No.27, it's likely to cause an issue between the two clubs.
The issue has already drawn the ire of Bombers coach John Worsfold, who has accused his Melbourne counterpart Paul Roos of breaking AFL rules to make contact with the contracted 26-year-old.
"They shouldn't be expressing any interest in contracted players," Worsfold told News Corp Australia.
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"I think that's outside the laws of the game."
Roos has denied those claims.
