Despite his free agency eligibility, Essendon ruckman Sam Draper reportedly isn’t going anywhere amid a big-money offer to remain in Tullamarine long-term.
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The 26-year-old South Australian has drawn rival interest from the Adelaide Crows, but Herald Sun journalist Jon Ralph revealed some “fantastic news” for Bombers fans during Fox Footy’s broadcast of the Geelong-Essendon Community Series match on Tuesday night.
“He’s the Essendon free agency holdout, (but) I can tell you tonight, fantastic news, he will sign at the Essendon Football Club,” Ralph reported live on Fox Footy.
“The only reason he’s holding out is he just wants to see how he goes with (fellow ruckman) Nick Bryan in the first six-to-eight weeks of the season.
“There is no way he will move back to Adelaide; he’s really encouraged by a massive pre-season, he’s dropped weight, and so I think that deal will still be six years (long), and reasonable money there.
“He wants to stay, he loves the city, he loves Brad Scott — great news for Essendon fans.”
The 23-year-old Bryan, an improving ruckman himself, is set to line up alongside Draper this season as the second ruck under Scott.
Asked how much Draper might be set to receive per season across the life of said six-year deal, Ralph shared the lucrative “starting price”, adding it’s a justified sum when Draper plays to his potential.
“I would say it’s probably 800 (thousand dollars),” Ralph said.
“I know he probably hasn’t deserved that recently, but in career-best form, that’s what he’s worth.”
Draper battled a groin injury throughout last year but managed 16 senior appearances for averages of 11.2 disposals, 3.1 marks, 19.1 hit-outs, 3.2 inside-50s and 3.5 clearances.
Three-time Richmond premiership player Jack Riewoldt believes Draper’s value to Scott’s side is more immense than any other Bomber.
“I actually think that he’s probably their most important player,” Riewoldt told Fox Footy’s Tuesday night broadcast.
“He’s played well … Essendon have got a lot of young midfielders that we expect to take the next step, but it starts with Draper in the middle, and when we get good Draper, I think Essendon are a force to be reckoned with.
“Now, $800,000 is a lot of money, and I think he’s got to stand up, (but) clearly ‘Kingy’ (David King), you made the comment that he looks fit, he looks ready to go.”
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