Essendon ruckman Sam Draper shuns St Kilda interest to re-sign with Bombers

A young Essendon ruckman has turned down a $1.4 million contract offer from St Kilda, but the Saints still have plenty of irons in the fire — and cash to spend. Who are they chasing?

Essendon has confirmed it has locked away exciting young ruckman Sam Draper after matching St Kilda’s four-year offer for the 203cm tall.

The Herald Sun revealed today Draper had knocked back St Kilda’s overtures on a four-year deal worth $1.4 million with incentives to earn even more.

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The Saints are still waiting for an answer after offering Todd Goldstein a three-year contract and are one of the league’s more active clubs in the player market.

With significant cap space they have at least publicly been linked to Hugh Greenwood, Brad Hill, Stephen Coniglio, Adam Tomlinson and Zak Jones.

Jack Steven wouldn’t comment on his trade intentions after his sparkling three-goal display but is expected to ask for a trade to Geelong.

Key defender Jake Carlisle has publicly pledged his future to the Saints after ticking off a games-based contract clause.

The Saints could reasonably ask for a late first-round pick for Steven but could not absorb his entire salary so would need to rejig his deal or ask the Saints to pay some of that final year salary.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE ST KILDA’S TOP SIX TRADE TARGETS

Draper said this morning he had always wanted to stay at the Dons after tearing his ACL in May.

“I’m thrilled to extend my contract at Essendon for another four years, with a group of players who are driven towards achieving success together,” Draper said.

“On a personal level, I’ll continue to work hard throughout the remainder of my rehabilitation program and strive towards an AFL debut.

“It was an easy decision to sign on with the Bombers. I’m really committed to this football club in our pursuit for success. I’m thankful for the faith the club has shown in me early in my career and I am looking forward to seeing what this group can achieve over the coming years.”

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Sam Draper has re-signed with Essendon after attracting interest from St Kilda.

The 203cm ruckman has made a commitment to stay at Essendon with negotiations close on a deal that will hand him crucial security as he comes off a May ACL tear.

Draper, a former defender and rising star in Adelaide soccer circles, had only played the game for a single season before being drafted by Essendon in the 2016 rookie draft.

But in his 2018 VFL season he had 40 hitouts on seven occasions with three games of more than 60 hitouts.

He had started the 2019 season in electric form before tearing his ACL in a contest against Geelong at the MCG.

Essendon has contracted ruckman Tom Bellchambers returning next year but their experiment with ex-Fremantle ruck Zac Clarke has been problematic, with his form modest at best.

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But Draper should be ready to resume by the start of next season as he pushes for an AFL debut.

St Kilda was prepared to offer as much as $1.4 million in guaranteed money and some lucrative incentives for him to cross town in a bold move to secure ruck depth.

But Essendon will hope it has re-signed a player who could be their first ruck for the next decade, with the Dons also in negotiations with Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti on a new contract.

ST KILDA’S TOP SIX TRADE TARGETS

HUGH GREENWOOD

Wants three years but has strong interest from teams including St Kilda, Hawthorn, Gold Coast and Brisbane. In an ideal world he would stay and get a third year but if the Saints offered three years is he the right fit?

BRAD HILL

Reportedly wants $800,000 a year, but he is the perfect midfielder for so many teams.

Saints would likely get something back if they handed over pick six for him but not a bad replacement if Jack Steven left the club. A game-breaker who runs harder than most in the league.

STEPHEN CONIGLIO

Doesn’t want to go to the Saints, but they are reported to have offered as much as $1.4 million, which illustrates how much cap space they have.

ZAK JONES

Says he loves Sydney but would give Saints outside run and has been linked to them and Melbourne. Given Nathan Jones has only a year left, he would be a perfect for for the Demons.

ADAM TOMLINSON

Saints have had interest for years. Would you need to offer him over $500,000 to get him across the line? The beauty of their improvement is that they don’t need him as a key-position target.

They have Carlisle, Callum Wilkie and Josh Battle in defence and Tim Membrey, Max King and Josh Bruce up forward.

TODD GOLDSTEIN

Saints have offered three years straight out, with North Melbourne offering two years and a games-based clause for 2022. Rowan Marshall’s knee issues on the weekend illustrated why you can never have too many rucks.

But the feeling is he will likely stay with North Melbourne.

Originally published as Essendon ruckman Sam Draper shuns St Kilda interest to re-sign with Bombers