That's news to us: Bombers coy on Lions move on Draper
Essendon coach Brad Scott has played down rumours linking Sam Draper with a move to Brisbane, but concedes there are doubts whether the unrestricted free agent will stay.
www.espn.comI don’t have live access to current news streams in this moment, but here’s the latest I can share from reliable outlets up to now.
Latest on Sam Draper AFL
- Sam Draper, Brisbane Lions recruit, was sidelined early in the 2026 season due to a right foot stress reaction. He was seen in a moon boot and was projected to miss the opening rounds, with return expectations around the second week of the season. This update came from AFL media and major outlets reporting a 6–8 week absence.[2][3]
- The situation was repeatedly described as a delayed start to Draper’s Lions career in 2026, after the stress reaction was confirmed by scans. Coaches indicated he would be unavailable for selection until at least rounds early in the season.[1][3]
Context and background
- Draper joined Brisbane from Essendon as a free agent and was considered a key addition as the Lions pursued another premiership push. His expected absence at the start of 2026 was noted in multiple outlets, with focus on how the Lions would manage early-season ruck duties.[3][1]
- Earlier in 2025 there were various reports about Draper’s status with Essendon and potential moves, but the 2026 update centers on his foot injury and delayed start with Brisbane.[4][5]
If you’d like, I can pull specific article links, summarize differences between outlets, or look for any updates since May 2026. I can also provide a quick timeline or a one-page notes sheet for Draper’s 2026 season status.