
Focus turns to big Bomber after Crows re-sign ruck star
O'Brien was set to become an unrestricted free agent at season's end, and contract negotiations with Adelaide stalled earlier this year after he was reportedly only offered a two-year extension.
Further complicating matters was the fact Adelaide were in the hunt to sign Draper, who hails from South Australia.
Draper, who is sidelined with an achilles tendon injury, is an unrestricted free agent and is weighing up his options.
Brisbane are now considered the frontrunners to land the 26-year-old on what's believed to be a five-year deal.
Essendon are believed to have a four-year deal on the table for Draper, with a trigger for a fifth year.
O'Brien has enjoyed one of his best seasons of his 10-year career and currently leads the AFL in total hitouts (700) this season.
The 29-year-old is averaging 38.9 hitouts per game in 2025, and has played a key role in helping Adelaide (13-5) surge into third spot.
O'Brien again looms as a key figure in Saturday night's Showdown against Port Adelaide.
"Adelaide has become my home over the past 10, 11 years and I couldn't see myself anywhere else," O'Brien said.
"I love this club, this city and this state.
"I'm so proud of how far this group has come over the past few years, and I am very excited and feel very privileged to be a part of this group moving forward."
Adelaide haven't reached the finals since playing off in the grand final in 2017, but are almost certain to end that drought this season.
A four-match winning streak has left the Crows just a win off top spot, and after taking on the Power, Adelaide end their campaign with games against Hawthorn (home), West Coast (away), Collingwood (home) and North Melbourne (away).
Port Adelaide (8-10) are already out of the finals race, but could thwart Adelaide's top-four hopes with an upset win on Saturday night.
The Crows announced on Friday that Isaac Cumming had been ruled out of the Showdown with lower leg soreness.
He has been replaced in the side by Brayden Cook.
Port Adelaide welcome back captain Connor Rozee from a fractured hand, while forwards Joe Berry and Jed McEntee have also been added.
Mani Liddy, Will Lorenz and Dylan Williams were all dropped from the side that suffered a 38-point loss to Hawthorn last week.
Port recruit Jack Lukosius has been named for his first Showdown, while Travis Boak plays his 383rd AFL game, drawing level with Robert Harvey in equal seventh position on the VFL/AFL games played list.

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