Former Bombers big man lands at the Brisbane Lions
The Brisbane Lions are delighted to confirm former Essendon ruckman Sam Draper has officially joined the Club.
www.lions.com.auHere’s the latest on Sam Draper with the Brisbane Lions:
-
Latest move and signing: Sam Draper joined the Brisbane Lions as a key recruit during the 2025 off-season, arriving as an unrestricted free agent. This marked a major addition to Brisbane’s ruck options and youth development plan.
-
Injury timeline affecting 2026 season: Draper suffered a stress reaction in his right foot during pre-season, delaying his debut and keeping him out for an estimated 6–8 weeks. The injury was expected to push his first game to around the second week of the season.
-
Early 2026 status: Reports and club updates indicated Draper was in a moonboot and receiving ongoing treatment, with Lions officials providing injury updates as he rehabbed. This gradual return approach aimed to have him available for Brisbane’s early fixtures, weather permitting.
-
2025 season context: Draper had previously returned from an Achilles injury and was building fitness and form at Brisbane, drawing attention for his size and potential impact in stoppages and forward-50 work.
-
Additional context: Coverage in AFL media highlighted Draper’s early impressions within the Lions’ culture and his anticipated role as a tall ruck/forward utility, with teammates praising his work ethic and impact in training.
If you’d like, I can fetch more recent articles or provide a quick timeline of his injury rehab and projected return date from the Lions’ official updates.