Essendon players reprimanded ruckman Sam Draper for his lighthearted remarks about the Western Bulldogs and coach Luke Beveridge during a comedic podcast. The Bulldogs were dissatisfied with Draper’s speculation about players seeking trades due to Beveridge’s presence, as shared on the Clubby Sports 200+ podcast, where players assumed journalist roles. While Draper’s comments appeared to be in jest, Nine’s Tom Morris noted they “caused some issues,” prompting Essendon’s leadership to remind Draper of the club’s values and the importance of humility. Additionally, Essendon contacted the Western Bulldogs to address their concerns about Draper’s remarks regarding their coach.
The Bulldogs currently rank 11th on the ladder with a 3-4 record after Round 7, amidst ongoing discussions about several high-profile players struggling to secure spots in the top 23 this season. Jack Macrae has returned to the senior side, but both he and Caleb Daniel have been mentioned as potential trade candidates. Meanwhile, Bailey Smith appears poised to depart the Bulldogs at the end of the 2024 season, with Collingwood reportedly leading the race, followed by Geelong.
