Essendon’s star midfielder Brendon Goddard has branded rival clubs as unethical for inviting Bombers’ players to break their contracts under a duty-of-care clause.

Tall forward Jake Carlisle, key defender Michael Hurley and talented ruck/forward Patrick Ryder are all reportedly attracting interest from rival clubs, as speculation mounts Ryder may join Brisbane.

Essendon’s players have the option to attempt to get out of their existing contracts by trying to prove the club failed in their duty of care during the 2012 supplements program.

“It’s a little bit unethical,” Goddard told Seven’s AFL Game Day on Sunday.

“We are vulnerable because of the current circumstances. But these clubs poaching our players and asking them to leave.

“Paddy, Hurls and Jake’s names have been mentioned but these guys love the footy club.

“They started there and I think they intend staying.

“These clubs are coming out, there’s almost like the unwritten rules, unethical that they are coming out dangling these baits in front of the guys when they’re in a very vulnerable state.

“It’s a little bit touchy, that scenario.”

Goddard says he expects Ryder to stay.

“There’s plenty of hope,” Goddard said.

“He’s a wanted player. I might be biased but he’s the best ruck/forward player in the competition and he’s important to our future hopes.

“I think there’s a lot of him that does (want to stay).”

Goddard said 29-year-old forward Jason Winderlich, who has announced his retirement, might back-track and play on in 2015.

But 39-year-old defender Dustin Fletcher’s playing future could be in some doubt, Goddard added.

Assistant coach Simon Goodwin would go with the club’s blessings if he chose to switch camps to Melbourne, Goddard said.

“I’d love him to stay at Essendon,” Goodwin said.