Essendon coach Brad Scott says sub rule change would make two ruckmen essential as he bids for Sam Draper to stay
Bryan’s signature comes as the Bombers hold out hope that Draper, who is being circled by the Brisbane Lions and Adelaide as he recovers from an achilles injury, remains at the club.
Scott said a “really strong case� had been put to Draper that he would play his best football at Essendon, and the possible removal of the sub rule was an extra reason for the big men to play together.
“They’re very close (friends),� Scott said of Draper and Bryan.
“The evidence at the start of the year was very clear … they were both playing career-best football together.
“We’ve been really clear in terms of we’d like to have that ruck partnership into the future.
“The indication with changes to the sub rule only strengthens that case to play two rucks.�
Scott has made personal pleas to Draper but also insisted the 26-year-old, who has only played 78 games but could get a deal worth in excess of $1m a season elsewhere as the contract arms race escalates, had to look after the “rest of his life�.
“Clearly, he’s got a lot of interest, but I think we’ve presented a really strong case as to why he’ll play his best football with us,� Scott said.
“There’s an incredibly strong appetite from a lot of clubs to improve their list through trading and free agency.
“Right at the moment, it feels like more than ever.
“Sam knows how important he is to us, and he knows how much I, in particular, value him.
“But I’ve made it really clear to him that he’s got to come to this decision himself and do what he thinks is in the best interest of his career and for the rest of his life.�
The Bombers will go into Thursday’s game using veteran Todd Goldstein as the first-choice ruck, but captain Zach Merrett will return for game number 250 despite carrying a broken hand.
“Nothing will stop him playing,� Scott said.
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