Essendon jet apologises for spreading Bulldogs rumour

Luke Beveridge and Sam Draper.

Essendon forward Sam Draper has been scolded by his football club apologised after spreading a rumour about a rival club.

Essendon’s Sam Draper has reportedly been scolded by club officials after spreading rumours about rivals Western Bulldogs.

The star forward earlier this week made headlines with comments that suggested several senior Bulldogs players could look to the leave the club if coach Luke Beveridge continues to coach the team into 2025.

Draper claimed on a podcast that was released on Tuesday that injured Bulldogs star Bailey Smith would be seeking a new home next year if Beveridge remains in charge.

The premiership winning coach is contracted through to the end of the 2025 season.

“I’ve got a big call about the Doggies, Draper said on the Clubby Sports 200+ podcast when acting as a journalist.

“If Bevo’s still there, there’ll be some players requesting trades.”

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Smith was sensationally linked to trades during the 2023 AFL Trade Period and reports emerged earlier this year clubs, including Geelong and Collingwood, were preparing to target Smith at the end of the 2024 season when the social media sensation will be on the open market.

Draper said on the podcast he suspected that Bailey Dale and Jack Macrae and Caleb Daniel could be out the door. He said Smith was “gone”.

Luke Beveridge and Sam Draper.

Draper’s comments have further stoked the rumour mill, which is part of the reason why the Bulldogs reportedly demanded an apology on Wednesday.

Essendon officials reportedly apologised to Beveridge on Wednesday and The Herald Sun first reported Draper also made a personal apology to Beveridge.

The report claims Essendon reprimanded Draper behind closed doors but have not taken any disciplinary action.

Beveridge brushed off the “bizarre” comments during his scheduled press conference.

“We are breaking ground all the time, aren’t we? It was bizarre to me,” he said.

Sam Draper has been making headlines recently. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

“I’m not going to say anything about it really because I think the people that became aware of it and are close to him and their football club were extremely alarmed and reached out to me and expressed their apologies.

“But ultimately, as I’ve expressed in the past, my number one concern is just our players are taken care of and supported. When something like that happens to me, I can deal with it. It was unusual.

“We all think certain things at times and with the emotions of the game we are connected to many, many people across the code, but do we express them in the public domain? Normally we don’t. This is one where I am sure he’s had a think about it and wouldn’t do it again.”

Smith, the No.7 pick in the 2018 draft, is injured for the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery for a ruptured ACL.

Beveridge said on Thursday Smith has been making good progress to recover from the injury.