Essendon coach addresses rival’s play for club cult hero
‘I’d like to think that I would know before most.’
7news.com.auI don’t have live access to the latest feeds right now, but here’s what’s generally known about Sam Draper recently:
- In 2025 there was ongoing discussion about his future at Essendon, with reports that he could seek a move as injuries impacted his form and contract status. This included speculation about potential destinations and his unrestricted free agent status.[1][4]
- By mid-2025 it was reported that Draper had officially nominated Brisbane as his club of choice for 2026, signaling a move away from Essendon despite ongoing injury concerns.[2]
- Early in 2026, Draper faced a setback with a stress-related foot issue that delayed his first season with Brisbane, keeping him out for several weeks as he recovered.[3]
If you’d like, I can pull in the latest confirmed updates and provide a concise timeline with citations. I can also summarize how this may affect Brisbane’s ruck setup and Essendon’s plans, or track any new developments from specific outlets you trust.