AFL 2021: Essendon coach Ben Rutten Q&A ahead of his first season as senior coach
Coach Ben Rutten says Essendon is still unclear on when Michael Hurley will return to the club after spending time in hospital with a hip infection.
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Essendon coach Ben Rutten has backed young ruckman Sam Draper to be one of the biggest improvers in the AFL this season, while two draftees are closing in on places in the Bombers’ team for Round 1.
After being heavily courted by rival clubs before he even played a senior game, with St Kilda willing to pay him $1.7 million, Draper made his debut for the Bombers in 2020.
The 22-year-old played eight times, and with the retirement of Tom Bellchambers, the South Australian can make the Essendon No. 1 ruck position his own.
Rutten said Draper had been impressing in pre-season training, and agreed with suggestions the big man could be one of, if not the biggest improver in the AFL this season.
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RUTTEN ON...
Sam Draper
“I think you are right there, I’ve been really pleased on what Drapes has been able to do,” he said on SEN.
“He is such a big physical imposing guy but he has been able to get himself in great physical condition but he also is one of those guys that has a real drive and energy about him and I really love that about a big ruckman someone who can throw his weight around and protect the midfielders.
“I’m really excited about what Drapes can produce this year.”
How they will cover losses
The Bombers had a disappointing 2020 on the field and it was compounded by the departures of Adam Saad (Carlton), Joe Daniher (Brisbane), Orazio Fantasia (Port Adelaide) and Connor McKenna (back to Ireland).
Rutten said they had to be treated “individually”, but did say Saad was the “disappointing” one for Essendon.
Draftees’ Round 1 chances
As a result of the departures the Bombers were able to bring in Nik Cox, Archie Perkins and Zach Reid with picks 8,9 and 10 in the draft.
Rutten said at least two of them were pushing serious cases for Round 1.
“They certainly are, Perkins and Cox have done most of the training,” he said.
“Reid has had a foot injury which cost him a couple of weeks but he played in a scratch match and looked very composed and it looks like we have a real player on our hands there.
“Cox and Perkins will get some opportunities over the next couple of weeks to fit into our team.”
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Harry Jones and Michael Hurley
Rutten said the young key-forward “had really filled out and was looking like a man”, while he was unsure when Michael Hurley would be back at the club after he had to spend time in hospital with an infection in his hip.
Andrew McGrath
Andrew McGrath will miss Thursday’s trial game against Carlton with concussion, but Rutten said he would be fine for the Bombers’ pre-season match against Geelong.
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