Essendon have officially lodged a four-year contract offer which they hope will net them St Kilda AFL star Brendon Goddard.

“We can confirm the club has made an offer to secure the services of Brendon Goddard after he nominated Essendon as his destination of choice as a free agent,” Bombers chief executive Ian Robson said in a statement.

As Goddard is a restricted free agent, the Saints have 72 hours to match the offer, if they can.

If they do, Goddard would need to request a trade or enter the draft if he still wants to leave the Saints.

If the Saints cannot match the Bombers’ offer, they will be compensated through the draft for losing one of their biggest stars.

“The club is considering its position and will make further comment at an appropriate time,” the Saints said.

Goddard, 27, has played 205 games with the Saints since being taken with the No.1 pick in the 2002 national draft.

He is the highest-profile player on the AFL’s list of free agents and if his move is confirmed, it could help pave the way for other deals.

Fremantle have lodged a bid for Port Adelaide midfield speedster Danyle Pearce.

The 26-year-old is also a restricted free agent, meaning the Power also have the right to match the Dockers’ offer.

Pearce, who was named the AFL’s Rising Star in 2006, his second season, has played 154 games for the Power, including 20 this year.

He is not the only Power player looking for a move, with Troy Chaplin having been linked to Richmond, while Steven Salopek and Jacob Surjan are also exploring their options.