The AFL trade period for the 2025 season is heating up, with news emerging about potential moves involving Essendon Bombers’ Sam Draper and Adelaide Crows’ Reilly O’Brien. Both players are considering their futures beyond the current season, with speculation rife about a possible club swap between the two ruckmen.
Reports suggest that Essendon could be a landing spot for O’Brien, who, like Draper, is open to a move back to his home state. While any potential transfers would be independent decisions by the players, the scenario of Draper and O’Brien swapping clubs is gaining traction as the AFL’s landscape for ruck players evolves.
Draper’s future at Essendon seems uncertain following a season-ending Achilles injury, prompting interest from clubs like Adelaide and Brisbane. The 26-year-old’s potential move could have a domino effect on other ruckmen in the league, with players like Tom De Koning, Sean Darcy, and Rowan Marshall also rumored to be on the trade table.
Brisbane has emerged as a surprise contender for Draper’s services, offering an enticing deal that could shape the ruck merry-go-round further. The Lions are looking to secure a long-term replacement for their aging ruck options, while Adelaide is also in the mix, potentially offering a more extended contract to lure Draper to the Crows.
O’Brien, on the other hand, faces uncertainty at Adelaide if Draper chooses the Crows as his preferred destination. The 29-year-old, despite his experience and past accolades, has been offered a modest contract extension, leaving his future at the club in question.
Essendon sees O’Brien as a stable replacement for Draper and veteran ruck Todd Goldstein, providing a transitional option while younger players like Nick Bryan develop. The potential reshuffling of ruckmen across clubs could set off a chain reaction, impacting player movements and team dynamics.
The AFL’s trade period is always a time of speculation and intrigue, with player movements and contract negotiations adding an extra layer of drama to the league. As clubs jostle for the best talent and seek to build competitive rosters, the ruck merry-go-round in 2025 promises to be a storyline worth following closely.
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