’That’s the s— thing’: Draper responds to podcast controversy, apologises to Dons, parents

A chastened Sam Draper has reassured Essendon – and his parents – he won’t be making any negative public comments about rival clubs.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 11: Sam Draper and Brad Scott, Senior Coach of the Bombers are seen after the Bombers defeated the Giants during the round nine AFL match between Essendon Bombers and Greater Western Sydney Giants at Marvel Stadium, on May 11, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

A chastened Sam Draper has reassured Essendon – and his parents – he won’t be making any negative public comments about rival clubs after “learning” his lesson over his claims that several senior Western Bulldogs players would leave if Luke Beveridge remains coach.

Draper made the comments on the Clubby Sports 200+ podcast last month – where players were acting as journalists – which resulted in some tense talks between the Bombers and Bulldogs.

The injured Bombers’ ruckman contacted Beveridge to apologise for the comments after senior Essendon officials expressed their disappointment to him.

Draper made his return to the podcast this week, saying he won’t repeat the mistake and hoped the rest of the AFL competition heeds his warning.

“I couldn’t care if the media wanted to blow up things, but the club was disappointed with me,” Draper said. “That’s the s---- thing, and also my parents as well. They weren’t happy.”

“If I had my time again, I obviously wouldn’t have said it.

“I feel like it is a good learning for me, and probably for the whole of the AFL landscape.

“If someone from another team was talking about my team or my coach like that, I wouldn’t have been happy, so I have definitely had some learnings from it.”

Draper hasn’t played since Anzac Day and had knee surgery earlier this month which will keep him out for at least six weeks.