Star midfielder Brendon Goddard has branded rival clubs as unethical for inviting Essendon 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 that Ryder may join the Brisbane Lions.

It has been reported that Essendon 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 are 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.

"There's almost like the unwritten rules … [it's] 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."