That's news to us: Bombers coy on Lions move on Draper
The Lions are expected to snare both Draper and West Coast co-captain Oscar Allen in what is set to be a bumper free agency period for the defending premiers.
Draper is an unrestricted free agent, meaning Essendon have no power in halting a move away.
Allen is a restricted free agent, but with West Coast set to receive pick No.2 as compensation for losing him, it is highly unlikely they will match Brisbane's bid.
Essendon (6-12) have endured a season from hell, with a raft of injuries forcing them to field a record-equalling 13 debutants this year.
Draper is among the walking wounded at the Bombers, with the star ruckman ruled out for the rest of the season after rupturing his Achilles tendon in round six.
The 26-year-old South Australian was also reportedly weighing up a switch to Adelaide, but that appears unlikely after the Crows re-signed ruckman Reilly O'Brien for a further three years.
It leaves Brisbane in the box seat to land Draper - not that Scott has heard much about it.
"That's news to me, and I'd like to think that I would know before most," Scott said on Wednesday.
"We're in constant dialogue. I've been really clear all year about supporting Drapes in terms of his decision-making process.
"He's got a big call to make. He loves Essendon and loves the opportunity he got here."
When asked about any doubts he may have about Draper choosing to stay, Scott was pragmatic.
"Well any player who's out of contract coming into August, there'd always be a question mark," he said.
"But we won't be putting undue pressure on Drapes. He'll take as long as he needs to make his call.
"He's a much-loved member of our club and personally I'd love him to stay, and he knows that."
Essendon currently have 16 players on their injury list ahead of Saturday's clash with Sydney at the SCG.
Jordan Ridley was the latest newcomer to that list, with the defender ruled out for four weeks after injuring his hamstring in last week's 93-point loss to the Western Bulldogs.
It marks the third time Ridley has been cut down by a hamstring injury this year.
"It's not a true recurrence of the previous injury, but it's another hamstring injury," Scott said.
"It's incredibly frustrating for him and for us. We really feel for him. All we can do now is go back to the drawing board.
"We're just determined to get him right. He's an important part of our long-term future, and we'll make whatever investment we need to get him right."
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The Age
3 hours ago
- The Age
A mid-season competition: Footy's next frontier, or AFLX 2.0?
Senior figures at league headquarters have privately conceded in recent weeks that they may have jumped too quickly at fixturing Thursday nights every week. They are considering scaling back in 2026. The cause of the angst created by a glut of dud Thursday and Friday night matches can be traced way back to March and an event not even the all-powerful AFL could control. As AFL boss Andrew Dillon approached the league's season launch at Sydney's Luna Park, he wasn't just dealing with a fixture storm. It was an actual storm. A cyclone, actually. Cyclone Alfred. Brisbane's season-opener against Geelong had to be called off. Hours earlier, Queensland Premier David Crisafulli had detailed the crisis plans he has for his state ahead of the predicted wild and wet weather. Two days later, the league announced Gold Coast's clash with Essendon would be moved to the end of the season. It was a decision that raised eyebrows across the competition. Was it better for Gold Coast and Essendon players because it allowed them to keep their mid-season bye? Yes. Was it an unnecessary risk given how it could compromise the latter stages of the fixture? Also yes. Loading 'When looking at the rescheduling of these matches we had a focus on having the least amount of disruption on the competition, ensuring that all clubs still have a mid-season bye and managing travel arrangements across the season – particularly for the four impacted clubs,' Dillon said on March 6. Dillon, who is seen as more consultative than his ruthless predecessor Gillon McLachlan, allowed the Bombers and the Suns to take part in the discussion about when their game should be played. Fast-forward five months and Essendon have had a disastrous season, as an injury crisis unfolded that resulted in a record 14 debutants at a club already struggling to overcome years of stunted development. And yet the Bombers continued to be given prime-time slots. Dillon tried to argue this week that Essendon was in solid enough form when the floating fixture was locked in. That's not untrue. But the bit he left out was that fixture gurus were hamstrung by a decision they made five months earlier. Essendon will play Friday night against Geelong in round 22, on a Thursday night against St Kilda in round 22 and a Thursday night against Carlton in round 24 (which is yet to be officially announced). That's designed to allow the Bombers to prepare for a final game against Gold Coast on Wednesday, August 27, after round 24 and before the pre-finals bye. Essendon fans could be forgiven for switching off, if they haven't already. Add to this a succession of lopsided matches - round 20 featured the fifth-biggest aggregate this century – and the fact that only one finals spot has realistically been up for grabs since mid-July, and the atmosphere of concern at AFL House is understandable. To be fair, 13 teams were still in the contention at the same stage last year, and few could have foreseen that another powerhouse club, Carlton, would join the Bombers and Richmond in the bottom rungs of the ladder. The view from clubland The revelation by this masthead last month that the AFL is considering a secondary tournament during the season has been met with scepticism among clubs. This masthead has canvassed eight club presidents, chief executives and football bosses, most of whom have expressed reservations about the merits of a mid-season competition. The scepticism is fuelled partly by the lack of clear detail about the concept, which, according to one figure present at the July meeting of club CEOs where it was tabled, was discussed for no more than five minutes. Though some have welcomed the idea of creating more 'winning moments' and applauded the AFL for being open to change, there are concerns over the impact it could have on the premiership season. While there is an appetite for innovation inside AFL headquarters, one club president likened the idea to a widely ridiculed format trialled by the league in 2018-19. 'This might be the modern-day AFLX,' the club president said, referring to the novelty competition that is best remembered by fans for the garish promotional image featuring former league boss Gillon McLachlan accompanied by a parachutist, circus acrobats and a football-shaped mascot. But AFL executives are seriously discussing an in-season competition. How would it work? The concept is very much at 'ideation stage', according to sources in the industry, as evident in the wide range of ideas put forward. The competition could be part of the regular home and away season, be completely separate and spread across the season over, say, three rounds or be played in a concentrated block. A knockout FA Cup-style competition was also put forward. One suggestion was for the games to be played à la Gather Round in the one region or across multiple states with more than one trophy available. The winner of the matches played in Queensland, for example, could take home the Sunshine Bowl. The idea of matches being played in the Northern Territory, New Zealand and even the US are all up for discussion, according to a source present at the meeting. The league's broadcast partners, Seven and Foxtel, are not across the details either, but Fox has expressed its willingness to explore new ideas. 'Post-season, we will work with the AFL and consider any innovations they put forward to grow the game,' a Foxtel spokesperson said. Is a mid-season prize worth winning? There is only one trophy that matters – the premiership cup – and changing this deeply ingrained belief requires plenty of thought. Just as they did with the demise of State of Origin in the 1990s and the pre-season tournament that was disbanded in 2013 after being a major hit in the 1990s and early 2000s, clubs hold the key to whether a competition or concept will succeed. As history has shown, for it to be accepted by the fans, the best players need to play, but clubs won't field their stars to win a Mickey Mouse tournament if it jeopardises their premiership bid. Would Collingwood risk veterans Scott Pendlebury or Steele Sidebottom in a secondary comp? Would Dusty Martin or Buddy Franklin really come out of retirement to play in it? A golden ticket into September has also been floated. However, as several figures have noted, this would undermine the integrity of the home and away season. Other potential prizes include a single premiership point, which could be of huge value to clubs with inferior percentages, draft picks and soft cap releases, though there was a feeling among club chiefs the latter two would not be a sufficient carrot. Loading 'It would be taken more seriously if you were guaranteed finals,' a club president said. 'That becomes valuable, you can lock it away. If that came at the expense of someone above them, then you can imagine the hue and cry. Other than that, I can't see clubs treating it really seriously.' Club leaders are more open to a finals wildcard round, and the AFL's new football boss Greg Swann said this week the league would consider that option upon Tasmania's entry. This would essentially create a top 10 in a 19-team competition.
The Advertiser
5 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Swan stakes All-Australian claim in win over Bombers
Sydney have handed Essendon a ninth consecutive loss, defeating the Bombers by 14 points in a scrappy contest in slippery conditions at the superstar Errol Gulden kicked the first goal of the game in his 100th AFL match, and the hosts were never headed thereafter, cruising to a 9.14 (68) to 7.12 (54) win on Saturday. Ruckman Brodie Grundy continued his excellent form, giving Sydney's midfielders first use around stoppages while winning 13 clearances and 39 disposals, including 16 in the final 31-year-old has polled coaches' votes in his last seven games and is making a late run as a contender for the All-Australian ruck mantle. "Not only his ability to cover the ground, but his intensity around the ball has been a big highlight for a long period of time," Sydney coach Dean Cox said post-match. "He's had a very, very impressive season." With Nick Blakey (28 disposals, 678m gained) controlling play from the back half, and Gulden (30 disposals, 575m gained) and Isaac Heeney (28 disposals, 14 contested) dominant through the middle, the Swans never looked like losing. Sydney lacked an obvious focal point in attack, with Joel Amartey, Logan McDonald and Hayden McLean on the sidelines, but found goals through Braeden Campbell and Justin McInerney, who kicked two each. Jack Buller's classy drop punt goal from a set shot on the boundary was a rare highlight on a scrappy day where the two sides combined for 26 behinds and only 16 goals. Livewire Tom Papley managed just one goal and was well-held by first-gamer Jayden Nguyen, Essendon's 14th debutant for 2025. Essendon battled hard around the contest throughout, finishing with just eight fewer contested possessions, six more tackles and four more clearances than the Swans. But the gap in class was clear when it came to ball use. The Swans had 115 more uncontested disposals, and were able to change angles and string together chains of handballs, while the Bombers were impotent with the ball in 16 players unavailable due to injury, Essendon looked undermanned and often uninspired, regularly kicking the ball long down the line for little reward on the scoreboard."We fought hard but there are just a lot of things we've got to improve on," Bombers coach Brad Scott said. "I don't think our supporters would've watched that and thought there was a lack of effort from our players - maybe a lack of class and experience, but we'll keep working on that." Essendon managed just four goals to three-quarter time, but mounted a late challenge in the final term through goals from Mason Redman, Isaac Kako and Lachie Blakiston. But with the margin trimmed to 13 points, Sydney settled and took control, slowing down play and chipping the ball around to wind down the clock for the final 10 minutes. Sam Durham battled manfully for the Bombers, while Rising Star contender Archie Roberts showed great composure in the back half. In an unusual sight, play was stopped for a short period in the first quarter while a grounds-keeper took to the field to fill a hole in the ground with sand. It's not the first issue the SCG has had with its surface this year, with the ground called into question after Sydney's round 16 loss to the Western Bulldogs, in which players continually slipped over. Finals is out of the equation for Sydney, but the Swans are desperate to head into 2026 with confidence and momentum. "I didn't find it tough to get motivated," Cox said. "As a footy club we have to finish the year off as well as we possibly can." Sydney have handed Essendon a ninth consecutive loss, defeating the Bombers by 14 points in a scrappy contest in slippery conditions at the superstar Errol Gulden kicked the first goal of the game in his 100th AFL match, and the hosts were never headed thereafter, cruising to a 9.14 (68) to 7.12 (54) win on Saturday. Ruckman Brodie Grundy continued his excellent form, giving Sydney's midfielders first use around stoppages while winning 13 clearances and 39 disposals, including 16 in the final 31-year-old has polled coaches' votes in his last seven games and is making a late run as a contender for the All-Australian ruck mantle. "Not only his ability to cover the ground, but his intensity around the ball has been a big highlight for a long period of time," Sydney coach Dean Cox said post-match. "He's had a very, very impressive season." With Nick Blakey (28 disposals, 678m gained) controlling play from the back half, and Gulden (30 disposals, 575m gained) and Isaac Heeney (28 disposals, 14 contested) dominant through the middle, the Swans never looked like losing. Sydney lacked an obvious focal point in attack, with Joel Amartey, Logan McDonald and Hayden McLean on the sidelines, but found goals through Braeden Campbell and Justin McInerney, who kicked two each. Jack Buller's classy drop punt goal from a set shot on the boundary was a rare highlight on a scrappy day where the two sides combined for 26 behinds and only 16 goals. Livewire Tom Papley managed just one goal and was well-held by first-gamer Jayden Nguyen, Essendon's 14th debutant for 2025. Essendon battled hard around the contest throughout, finishing with just eight fewer contested possessions, six more tackles and four more clearances than the Swans. But the gap in class was clear when it came to ball use. The Swans had 115 more uncontested disposals, and were able to change angles and string together chains of handballs, while the Bombers were impotent with the ball in 16 players unavailable due to injury, Essendon looked undermanned and often uninspired, regularly kicking the ball long down the line for little reward on the scoreboard."We fought hard but there are just a lot of things we've got to improve on," Bombers coach Brad Scott said. "I don't think our supporters would've watched that and thought there was a lack of effort from our players - maybe a lack of class and experience, but we'll keep working on that." Essendon managed just four goals to three-quarter time, but mounted a late challenge in the final term through goals from Mason Redman, Isaac Kako and Lachie Blakiston. But with the margin trimmed to 13 points, Sydney settled and took control, slowing down play and chipping the ball around to wind down the clock for the final 10 minutes. Sam Durham battled manfully for the Bombers, while Rising Star contender Archie Roberts showed great composure in the back half. In an unusual sight, play was stopped for a short period in the first quarter while a grounds-keeper took to the field to fill a hole in the ground with sand. It's not the first issue the SCG has had with its surface this year, with the ground called into question after Sydney's round 16 loss to the Western Bulldogs, in which players continually slipped over. Finals is out of the equation for Sydney, but the Swans are desperate to head into 2026 with confidence and momentum. "I didn't find it tough to get motivated," Cox said. "As a footy club we have to finish the year off as well as we possibly can." Sydney have handed Essendon a ninth consecutive loss, defeating the Bombers by 14 points in a scrappy contest in slippery conditions at the superstar Errol Gulden kicked the first goal of the game in his 100th AFL match, and the hosts were never headed thereafter, cruising to a 9.14 (68) to 7.12 (54) win on Saturday. Ruckman Brodie Grundy continued his excellent form, giving Sydney's midfielders first use around stoppages while winning 13 clearances and 39 disposals, including 16 in the final 31-year-old has polled coaches' votes in his last seven games and is making a late run as a contender for the All-Australian ruck mantle. "Not only his ability to cover the ground, but his intensity around the ball has been a big highlight for a long period of time," Sydney coach Dean Cox said post-match. "He's had a very, very impressive season." With Nick Blakey (28 disposals, 678m gained) controlling play from the back half, and Gulden (30 disposals, 575m gained) and Isaac Heeney (28 disposals, 14 contested) dominant through the middle, the Swans never looked like losing. Sydney lacked an obvious focal point in attack, with Joel Amartey, Logan McDonald and Hayden McLean on the sidelines, but found goals through Braeden Campbell and Justin McInerney, who kicked two each. Jack Buller's classy drop punt goal from a set shot on the boundary was a rare highlight on a scrappy day where the two sides combined for 26 behinds and only 16 goals. Livewire Tom Papley managed just one goal and was well-held by first-gamer Jayden Nguyen, Essendon's 14th debutant for 2025. Essendon battled hard around the contest throughout, finishing with just eight fewer contested possessions, six more tackles and four more clearances than the Swans. But the gap in class was clear when it came to ball use. The Swans had 115 more uncontested disposals, and were able to change angles and string together chains of handballs, while the Bombers were impotent with the ball in 16 players unavailable due to injury, Essendon looked undermanned and often uninspired, regularly kicking the ball long down the line for little reward on the scoreboard."We fought hard but there are just a lot of things we've got to improve on," Bombers coach Brad Scott said. "I don't think our supporters would've watched that and thought there was a lack of effort from our players - maybe a lack of class and experience, but we'll keep working on that." Essendon managed just four goals to three-quarter time, but mounted a late challenge in the final term through goals from Mason Redman, Isaac Kako and Lachie Blakiston. But with the margin trimmed to 13 points, Sydney settled and took control, slowing down play and chipping the ball around to wind down the clock for the final 10 minutes. Sam Durham battled manfully for the Bombers, while Rising Star contender Archie Roberts showed great composure in the back half. In an unusual sight, play was stopped for a short period in the first quarter while a grounds-keeper took to the field to fill a hole in the ground with sand. It's not the first issue the SCG has had with its surface this year, with the ground called into question after Sydney's round 16 loss to the Western Bulldogs, in which players continually slipped over. Finals is out of the equation for Sydney, but the Swans are desperate to head into 2026 with confidence and momentum. "I didn't find it tough to get motivated," Cox said. "As a footy club we have to finish the year off as well as we possibly can."
ABC News
6 hours ago
- ABC News
Wallabies beat Lions but are left to reflect on what could've been
Winning a dead rubber in sport can produce a range of feelings. Such a victory can boost morale, while providing relief from the humiliation of another defeat. Conversely, they can also act as a reminder of what could've been. For the Wallabies, in their three-Test series against the British and Irish Lions, it should be the latter. While the 22-12 triumph over the British and Lions in the third and final Test in Sydney meant they avoided a series whitewash, the result will also make them reflect on missed opportunities. The Wallabies offered up a meek performance in the first Test, which they lost 27-19 in Brisbane. They were dominated in the collisions on both sides of the ball and sorely missed the physicality of injured forwards Rob Valetini and Will Skelton. At one stage, the Wallabies trailed 24-5 and only added respectability to the scoreline after the Lions effectively put the cue in the rack, knowing their opponents were already beaten. The shoe was on the other foot the following week in Melbourne, with the Wallabies producing a largely clinical display in the opening 30 minutes to establish a 23-5 lead. As much as the Jac Morgan-Carlo Tizzano incident in the final minute of play was cited as the trigger for the Wallabies' downfall, the failure to protect their scoreboard advantage underpinned the 29-26 defeat to the Lions at the MCG. It wasn't a skill deficiency or poor match fitness that allowed the Lions back into the contest, rather the Wallabies' lack of confidence as a squad conspired against them. They didn't appear to have the self-belief required to put the Lions to the sword. The second Test loss isn't an isolated event in this regard, as the Wallabies have coughed up sizeable leads during their barren Bledisloe Cup run since handing over the silverware to the All Blacks in 2003. If the Wallabies are to become a World Cup contender again, they must rediscover the ability to land the knockout punch when they have teams on the ropes. Player depth is another concern, although to coach Joe Schmidt's credit he's made an effort to address the issue, having handed 19 players Test debuts in 2024. But world-class depth is elusive at this stage, as the Lions series illustrated. Yes, there are positions where it could be argued the Wallabies go at least two deep in terms of Test-standard players, such as openside flanker, where Fraser McReight and Tizzano are available. But the Wallabies' options are limited in other positions, most notably fly-half. Tom Lynagh showed potential against the Lions, but he wasn't in the same class as Finn Russell, who expertly steered the tourists' attack wearing the 10 jersey. The Wallabies next face the two-time defending world champion Springboks in back-to-back Rugby Championship Tests in South Africa, beginning in a fortnight. Where Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is selected may be of interest, as there is debate about whether the ex-Sydney Rooster should be shifted from outside centre to wing. If Suaalii's moves out one spot, Hunter Paisami may be recalled to the midfield, allowing Len Ikitau to return to his preferred position at outside centre. Would Schmidt consider a left-field option such as using Ikitau's Brumbies teammate David Feliuai at inside centre, given their effectiveness as a combination in Super Rugby Pacific? Perhaps that would be throwing caution to the wind, but the Rugby Championship does give Schmidt the opportunity to look at fresh faces across some positions. It would be a shock if the likes of the uncapped Ryan Lonergan and Joe Brial aren't on his radar when it comes to naming his wider squad. Bob Dwyer famously used the Wallabies' 2-1 series loss to the Lions in 1989 to take stock of what his squad lacked two years out from a World Cup. Realising there were players not — or no longer — of Test quality, he ushered in eight debutants in the Wallabies' next two internationals against the All Blacks and France, including 1991 World Cup heroes Tony Daly, Phil Kearns, Rod McCall, Tim Horan and Jason Little. Schmidt, who will be replaced in his role by Les Kiss next year, isn't expected to participate in any bloodletting. But like Dwyer did 36 years ago, he needs to assess whether the current squad is comprised of players that will be a chance of lifting the Webb Ellis Cup when Australia hosts the World Cup in 2027. The Lions series won't just provide lessons for the Wallabies, as Australian rugby as a whole needs to learn how it can improve. There must be takeaways for the semi-professional and grassroot levels of the game, which will hopefully benefit from the financial windfall the cash-strapped Rugby Australia will enjoy from the tour. During his career, World Cup-winning All Blacks coach Graham Henry spoke several times of the transformative nature of the Lions' visit to New Zealand in 1971. The Lions, coached by Welshman Carwyn James, won the four-Test series against the All Blacks, with Henry describing the tour as "very influential on New Zealand rugby". "I think the '71 Lions won the first World Cup (in 1987) for us because we had to change our game," Henry said in 2005. "That shook the foundations of New Zealand rugby and from the top down things changed." Time will tell what impact the 2025 Lions will have on Australian rugby. But it would be hoped their defeat of the Wallabies can inspire young coaches and players locally in similar way to what Henry experienced.
