Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks has phoned out of contract Essendon star Sam Draper to make a personal pitch to the ruckman to sign a long-term contract with the Crows.
Draper, who looms as one of the hottest properties for the upcoming trade period, has standing offers from Essendon and Brisbane, but the Crows have used their coach in an attempt to swoop in at the last minute.
Nicks was contacted by this masthead about the call, but he politely declined to comment, stating it was club policy that they didn’t speak about players at rival clubs.
New teammates? Sam Draper of the Bombers competes with Adelaide’s Reilly O’Brien.Credit: AFL Photos
The call, according to two sources close to Draper who spoke on the condition of anonymity, has blown the player away, and it now has him genuinely reconsidering the Crows as a potential destination.
Draper has not ruled out recommitting to Essendon, according to the sources. Competition sources say Essendon’s offer is a four-year contract, while the Lions are willing to offer five or six years to get the deal done.
Essendon have told Draper and his management that they’d like an answer sooner rather than later. Draper is an unrestricted free agent.
It’s unclear what the extent of Adelaide’s offer is, but Nicks made it clear to Draper that he was a priority signing for the club in the off season.
Nicks’ phone call comes just days after the Crows re-signed ruckman Reilly O’Brien for a further three seasons.
Draper, who turns 27 next month, has managed only 78 games in what has so far been an injury-riddled career.
