Matthew Lloyd reacts to Sam Draper’s possible Essendon exit
The AFL world has been buzzing with reports about Sam Draper’s future at Essendon, and former Bombers champion Matthew Lloyd has weighed in with some strong words. News has spread that Draper, Essendon’s first-choice ruckman, could be on the move when his contract ends in 2026, with Adelaide and Brisbane both mentioned as potential destinations.
Lloyd, who remains one of the most respected voices around the club, didn’t hide his concern when speaking on 3AW Drive. He pointed out that departures like this usually say something about where a team is at. As he put it, “you don’t see anyone leaving good clubs, or clubs at the top.” That’s the kind of statement that really hits home, because it suggests Essendon may still be struggling to convince players they can seriously contend in the near future.
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Sam Draper’s situation is a tricky one. On one hand, his career has been interrupted by a series of injuries, which have often kept him sidelined during important stretches. But despite that, Lloyd was quick to stress that Draper remains the club’s best ruckman. His influence on the field, particularly in giving Essendon first use of the ball, hasn’t gone unnoticed by fans or former players. Losing someone of that caliber, even with the injury history, would be a massive blow to the Bombers’ structure and depth.
What makes this story even more layered is that Draper isn’t the only player who’s been linked to a move. Defender Jordan Ridley has also been rumored to be weighing up his options, which only adds to the uncertainty. For a club trying to build stability and push back into the upper levels of the ladder, talk of key players heading for the door isn’t exactly the message the Bombers would want out there.
Lloyd’s comments carry extra weight because he has lived through the highs and lows of the Essendon football club himself. His view that strong, successful clubs rarely lose their top talent cuts right to the heart of the matter. If players like Draper and Ridley are entertaining moves elsewhere, it raises real questions about how confident they are in Essendon’s ability to deliver success.
For now, nothing is confirmed, and it’s all still speculation. But this story has sparked plenty of conversation among fans, pundits, and former players alike. Draper is still under contract until 2026, meaning Essendon has time to steady the ship and make their case to keep him in red and black. Still, when respected voices like Lloyd hint that these potential departures say more about the club than the players themselves, it’s clear the Bombers have work to do—both on and off the field.
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