Bombers look to retain key players

Essendon are hoping to improve their AFL odds by convincing two key players to commit themselves to the club's future.

The bombers have been in negotiations with Adam McPhee and Andrew Welsh and hope to get them to put pen to paper next week.

However, it is thought negotiations are lasting longer than expected, with officials coy on why the two have not already signed.

According to bookmakers The Bombers will be needing all the help they can get if they are to win the flag next year.

SportsBeT has them as 34.00 outsiders, with Geeloong and St Kilda the tied favourites at 4.25.

Essendon chief executive Ian Robson spoke to Melbourne Radio station SEN on the futures of McPhee and Welsh, saying: "They are both required players and I am confident we will be able to resolve it in a positive manner for both parties, with the circumstances where we currently see ourselves, and that they'll stay Essendon players,"

He also dismissed reports that the players were unhappy with the contracts they had already been offered, saying such stories were mainly "journalistic interpretation and opinion".

McPhee and Welsh have a wealth of experience, playing in more than 300 AFL matches between them.