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Rumour Speculation, Rumours, Lies Thread 2025

Which rumours will come true?

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Rumour Summary October 1st

  • Adelaide expects a decision from Christian Petracca by Saturday, according to a poster (link)
  • Christian Petracca's decision between Adelaide and Gold Coast is a 50/50, according to Tom Morris (link)
  • Taylor Walker will sign a one-year contract extension, according to Josh Money (link)
  • Adelaide have been working on the Petracca trade for months, compared to Gold Coast who have joined the race more recently, according to a poster (link)
  • Christian Petracca is meeting with Gold Coast in person (link)

Rumour Summary October 2nd

  • Melbourne are open to trading Clayton Oliver, according to Sam Edmund (link)
  • Clayton Oliver expects to be told to explore his trade options, according to Tom Morris (link)
 
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Scorpus said:
Draper is a perfect like for like Tex replacement, if Tex was an unskilled buffoon
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OMG if we lose Thommo we’ll lose those 20 possessions and tackles from our midfield!!!

1.4 to 1.6 goals whilst being a genuine second ruck. Which affords TT not having to ruck if we don’t want. You need to separate names from outcome. It’s mid-30s Tex, not peak Tex. if 2025 Draper returns in 2026, there’s zero doubt that he makes us better as a 3rd tall forward and second ruck than extending Tex for another year.
 
Tex Danger said:
I’m hopeful Draper will thrive given the number 1 mantle

not many rucks show a lot when in a genuine dual ruck setup Essendon have always rolled with.

Hes not at an age where a ruck would gave peaked by.

Thought pre Achilles he was showing signs this was going to be his best season yet

I can see why we’re interested even if it’s no guarantee
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That achilles injury is a massive red flag
 
1970crow said:
OMG if we lose Thommo we’ll lose those 20 possessions and tackles from our midfield!!!

1.4 to 1.6 goals whilst being a genuine second ruck. Which affords TT not having to ruck if we don’t want. You need to separate names from outcome. It’s mid-30s Tex, not peak Tex. if 2025 Draper returns in 2026, there’s zero doubt that he makes us better as a 3rd tall forward and second ruck than extending Tex for another year.
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I think you're extrapolating a lot from just 5 games. Prior to this year Draper has been nothing but extremely average up forward
 

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Mutineer said:
ROB I doubt stays if Draper comes in and I can't see us playing both in the same team.

What makes people think Draper is a KPF let alone coming of a quite serious injury, will he even be ready to do a full preseason?
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Agree ROB might go, but Draper can easily play the 3rd tall forward and relief ruck role. He fits into our existing structure seamlessly. All that happens is that TT doesn’t second ruck. The goal average of Draper and Tex this year is basically the same. And Draper did it whilst collecting 20 or so hitouts.
 
Carmo said:
I'm happy with Draper. I think the club doesn't see much difference between ROB and Draper when both are fit and so we consider them interchangeable, this will allow us to drop ROB if he's not performing or rest him if he needs it and still be competitive. Since Draper should have several more good years in him, whereas ROB has maybe 4, Draper can fill the gap while we develop our next young ruckman.
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I honestly reckon the LM and footy strategy groups want ROB to lead the ruck for the next couple of years whilst Draper plays 3rd tall forward and backup ruck. Interesting times, but I reckon the rationale is pretty obvious. They want both to play in the same side, the structure doesn’t really change, only the forward that gives ROB a ruck breather does.
 
Peter Doherty said:
Are you suggesting they can not use one this year, have no first next year and hope to bring one in next year with Butters leaving or trading in a future '27 pick into '26?

I'm not sure it works like that. You can't go into a year where you must use a first with no first rounder.

I'm not sure you can say to the AFL during this off season, 'I know we need to use one either this year or next and we've traded both, but we'll bring one in next year, trust us'.
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I can't see why not. The AFL would punish them if they can't manage to find a first rounder next year.
 
1970crow said:
Agree ROB might go, but Draper can easily play the 3rd tall forward and relief ruck role. He fits into our existing structure seamlessly. All that happens is that TT doesn’t second ruck. The goal average of Draper and Tex this year is basically the same. And Draper did it whilst collecting 20 or so hitouts.
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Like my emotive writing piece in the other thread mentioned, would you really want a third tall forward that snaps around the corner with every set shot he takes. Including from 20 out straight in front ??
 
1970crow said:
How? They’ve both averaged a goal and half and Tex is done, regardless of Draper, he’s 90% likely off the 2026 list anyway. And Draper has kicked his goal and a half whilst being a genuine second ruck. Averages 21 hitouts to TTs 6 and only 1 goal per game behind and all but equal to Tex’s season.

It’s absurd the amount of emotion in here. Draper coming in as a 3rd tall second ruck can make us even more powerful than this year’s 23. And time comes for everyone and their replacement is never a competitor to their career. But it’s not their career being replaced, it’s the bottom end of it. Otherwise no player would retire.

And look who’s still around, Boak, Pendles and Tex. He’s in rare air having gotten this many years out of his body and only a couple of seasons ago having a career year. But it can’t go on forever and eventually the body fails the mind.

That all said, Draper comes with risk and I get that concern. But if he was to repeat 2025 in 2026 as a 3rd tall forward and second ruck, we’ll be an improved 23.
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Of course Tex is almost done , that not what I said.
my contention is that Draper is a poor replacement for Tex.

His skill level and footy IQ isn’t as good and I think he would get in the way if Filthy and Fog.

We would benefit more from a more mobile third tall .
 

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1970crow said:
I do, and it’s not that difficult. But it assumes that Draper returns and performs at the same level pre his injury
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Potentially even with regression as well, as it's not just Draper, but it's putting more emphasis on the Thilthorpe/Fogarty magnets. It does reinforce the one kink in the armor with our tall forwards which is Tex/Fog can be exposed in the air when we don't get our uncontested game flowing. Plus, getting Thilthorpe out of 2nd ruck likely wipes out most of the benefits that Tex offers us this year.

Admittedly, it seems overkill to go for a seemingly an expensive FA contract for what is effectively wall plaster.
 
1970crow said:
OMG if we lose Thommo we’ll lose those 20 possessions and tackles from our midfield!!!

1.4 to 1.6 goals whilst being a genuine second ruck. Which affords TT not having to ruck if we don’t want. You need to separate names from outcome. It’s mid-30s Tex, not peak Tex. if 2025 Draper returns in 2026, there’s zero doubt that he makes us better as a 3rd tall forward and second ruck than extending Tex for another year.
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You're likely right re the Draper/Walker scenario. But I couldn't press the like button to your comment because I just don't want Draper in a crows jumper. It's just my very subjective and biased opinion but hey, it's big footy.
 
Pea Nut said:
Like my emotive writing piece in the other thread mentioned, would you really want a third tall forward that snaps around the corner with every set shot he takes. Including from 20 out straight in front ??
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Not saying I want us to go after Draper, but why does it matter how he kicks for goal? If they go through, they are worth the exact same amount of points as goals kicked with a drop punt. It’s a non issue
 
If ROB goes down for 8 weeks in the last game before finals how are we gonna go in finals? This is the only reason for getting Draper, not to fill some post Tex forward fantasy.
 
Crouch said:
Who are we currently being linked to? Draper and maybe NWM — anyone else on the radar?

It feels a lot like 2017 again: just one or two elite players away from being a genuine premiership contender.

This could be one of the most pivotal off-seasons in the club's history.
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Nor sure if we are . Will be nice to add more talent bu I’m thinking we are a contender this year now
 
ABAB said:
NWM doesn't seem like the type to shaft his club if Port Power can't offer an appropriate trade. He will be happy to stay if a trade can't be reached, similar to what happened with Rankine.
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It will get done. Player Managers talk to clubs in the background.

Either way I've never been convinced players care too much about what their club gets as compensation. Its a good PR excercise.

Certainly not to the point they don't move.
 

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