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Potential role tweak awaiting Draper as Crows loom ahead of free agency call
SEN • February 13th, 2025 4:06 pm
Essendon ruckman and upcoming free agent Sam Draper may be set to share ruck duties with understudy Nick Bryan in 2025.
Described by Josh Jenkins as the ‘unluckiest player in the competition’ due to playing just five games in 2024, Bryan is ready to take on more ruck minutes this season according to AFL Media’s Cal Twomey.
While Draper will still no doubt be the Dons’ number one option, Twomey expects him to spend some more time up forward in 2025 if he can stay fit, given he played just 16 games in 2024.
“The first bit for me around Draper is to just stay fit,” Twomey told SEN Sportsday.
“He's had a really good summer and Essendon's been encouraged by his summer and what he's done on the track this year.
“He's spending a lot of time forward as well, improving that part of his game. Brad Scott's going to be working through whether he plays him alongside Nick Bryan … but there'll be some use of him as a key forward because Bryan's nearly ready now to take on some more ruck minutes.
“He's fit, and the groin issue that he had for a long period there was pretty debilitating. So that's a big factor in how you assess his last couple of years.”
As well as a potential role tweak, another thing on Draper’s mind will no doubt be his pending restricted free agency decision as he comes out of contract at the end of the campaign.
Hailing from South Australia, Twomey expects the Crows to be at the front of the line for Draper should he decide to leave Melbourne. The news breaker also expects the 26-year-old to take his time making the decision.
“He's going to take a little bit of time to make his decision as well,” Twomey said.
“I think it's in everyone's interest if Sam Draper plays well this year. He'll get a better deal. Essendon will get a better player in the meantime, and Adelaide – who we reported last year - will definitely be in the mix for him and going for him.
“He will obviously have to make that call. But as a free agent, again, he'll be in the group that that waits it out a little bit.”
