He is from South Australia but is open to relocating to Queensland, where he would instantly become the Lions’ No.1 big man over veteran pair Oscar McInerney and Darcy Fort.
The Crows’ incumbent ruckman Reilly O’Brien re-signed for three years in July, but that is not expected to be an impediment to Draper potentially heading to West Lakes. In fact, they were always hopeful of retaining O’Brien while pursuing Draper, a source familiar with negotiations told this masthead.
O’Brien, who leads the league in total hitouts and hitouts to advantage this year, is a popular figure at Adelaide, who were keen to retain him not only for his on-field output but his cultural importance at the club.
Sam Draper has a big decision to make on his playing future.Credit: Getty Images
However, O’Brien told Channel Ten in Adelaide this month that Draper’s recruitment “wouldn’t be ideal from a selfish point of view, wanting to be the No.1 ruckman”.
The Crows have little ruck depth behind O’Brien, while the Bombers have emerging duo Nick Bryan and Vigo Visentini – both of whom are yet to re-sign – on top of super-veteran Todd Goldstein, if Draper leaves.
Wanganeen-Milera’s decision not to join Adelaide means they have more cash to splash, but it is unclear if they will now up the financial ante to beat Brisbane for Draper.
Essendon’s list crunch
Essendon’s mid-season draft crop faces a nervous wait as list boss Matt Rosa prepares for a more extensive post-season cull than usual because of how many extra players they have on their list.
The Bombers have almost 20 footballers sidelined by injury – many of them long-term – which is why they were able to open list vacancies to select Archer May, Lachie Blakiston, Oskar Smartt and Liam McMahon in this year’s mid-season draft.
Liam McMahon’s kicked 11 goals in five games for the Bombers. Credit: AFL Photos
May was the only one of the quartet who inked an 18-month deal, with the other three out of contract at season’s end.
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Blakiston’s transformed from a state league ruckman into a centre-half-back in his nine games, while May (seven), McMahon (five) and Smartt (four) have also received plenty of opportunity.
Ex-Blue McMahon’s booted 11 goals, including seven in the past fortnight against Geelong and St Kilda, and is one of the success stories of Essendon’s injury-ravaged campaign. Blakiston’s versatility has him on track to score a new contract for 2026, but he will need to be patient.
The Bombers have a strong hit rate in the mid-season draft across the years, including selecting Sam Durham, Massimo D’Ambrosio, Jye Menzie, Saad El-Hawli and Will Snelling.
Ex-Lion Jaxon Prior, a pre-season signing, is also among the Bombers’ out-of-contract group, as are the likes of Dylan Shiel, Jayden Laverde, Ben Hobbs, Nick Bryan, Vigo Visentini, Todd Goldstein, Alwyn Davey jnr, Menzie, Luamon Lual and Jayden Nguyen.
Adam Treloar pushes his case
The future of Western Bulldogs midfielder Adam Treloar is no closer to being resolved as he makes a case for AFL selection after a 40-disposal outing in the VFL on Sunday.
The 32-year-old is out of contract for next season, having played just four games this year due to a persistent calf issue that dogged him in the past 12 months.
The 2024 All-Australian was subbed out of his most recent senior match in round 15 after three consecutive games and is no longer a walk-up start in 2025, although he pulled up well from his first outing and is keen to play on next season.
Adam Treloar is desperate to force his way back into the teamCredit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
The Bulldogs’ VFL team finished on top of the ladder so they have a bye this week. If the Bulldogs reach the AFL’s top eight, Treloar may have a second chance to prove his durability in the VFL qualifying final played in the pre-AFL finals bye.
The Bulldogs have met with Carlton’s unrestricted free agent Jack Silvagni, and swingman Buku Khamis is exploring his trade options. Small defender Taylor Duryea announced his retirement on Tuesday after 219 matches (118 matches with Hawthorn, 101 with the Bulldogs) and two premierships with the Hawks.
Cooper Trembath has made a quick impression at North Melbourne.Credit: Getty Images
Mid-season draft watch
The 2025 mid-season draft has already produced some ready-made talent, headlined by West Coast’s No.1 pick Tom McCarthy, who is averaging more than 24 disposals in nine matches.
McCarthy nominated on a longer-term contract that secured his future until the end of next year, along with Port Adelaide’s Harrison Ramm and Ewan Mackinlay, Bomber Archer May and Western Bulldog Zac Walker. Gold Coast have also extended ex-Saints defender Oscar Adams.
The rest of this year’s draftees are still chasing a new deal, including North Melbourne key forward Cooper Trembath, who kicked three goals in each of his first two games and displayed impressive aerial prowess.
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Fellow Kangaroo Zac Banch has also shown promise, while the No.1 selection in last year’s mid-season draft, Geordie Payne, played his first two games in the past fortnight as he tries to lock in his future beyond 2025.
The Bulldogs are set to extend defender Michael Sellwood, who remains close to senior selection, while Carlton’s Flynn Young, Magpie Roan Steele and West Coast’s Jacob Newton are also tipped to be in the AFL next year.
Other mid-season draftees from previous years still hunting a deal, but who are poised to continue, include Demon and ex-Eagle Jai Culley and Sydney forward Jack Buller.
Former Cat Quinton Narkle, who joined Port Adelaide as a mid-season draftee two years ago before signing with Fremantle in November, announced his retirement yesterday after 59 games across nine seasons.
Ryan flyin’ to Moorabbin?
St Kilda are in the box seat to land West Coast premiership forward Liam Ryan, who looks likely to move at season’s end.
The talented forward, who has remained one of the club’s more consistent performers in a difficult season, has kicked 22 goals and had 43 scoring shots in 19 matches.
Liam Ryan is an exciting player who could be headed for the SaintsCredit: Getty Images
Ryan has a year remaining on his contract and the Eagles are saying he is a required player but, at 28, he is unlikely to be part of the Eagles’ next premiership tilt and a trade could provide a reasonable draft pick for the Eagles’ rebuild.
He has been linked to Essendon but is not likely to join the Bombers. Still, clubs other than the Saints have shown some interest.
The Saints were handed a massive psychological boost on Monday when Wanganeen-Milera re-signed for two more seasons, and they are expected to secure Carlton’s Tom De Koning as a restricted free agent and Giants defender Leek Aleer in a trade.
Marcus Windhager remains out of contract and has interest from North Melbourne, Melbourne and Essendon, as this column revealed, however the Saints remain confident of retaining the ball-winning midfielder.
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