Essendon was "forced" to apologise to the Western Bulldogs following controversial comments made by Sam Draper on his 200 Plus podcast.
Speaking over two weeks ago - with the episode coming to light recently - Draper insinuated that multiple Bulldogs players would depart the Kennel if current coach Luke Beveridge were to be in charge in 2025.
The star ruckman
"I've got a big call about the Doggies," Draper declared.
"If Bevo (Luke Beveridge) is still there, there'll be some players requesting trades.
"Tradies get on that."
Caleb Daniel, Jack Macrae and Bailey Dale were the names agreed upon by Draper and the hosts of the podcast while the Bombers ruckman proclaimed that injured Bailey Smith is "gone".
An unusual oneโฆ In jest or otherwise, this has caused some issues today for Sam Draper.@essendonfcโs leaders spoke to him & reminded him & this is not what the club stands for & humility is important.
The club also contacted the @westernbulldogs, who arenโt happy with whatโฆ pic.twitter.com/otZSIwYcFs
— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) May 1, 2024
Channel 7 journalist Andrew McCormack revealed that the Bombers were "disappointed" with Draper's comments and that is something the club doesn't stand for.
"Essendon has been forced to apologise to the Western Bulldogs for comments made recently on a podcast by Sam Draper," McCormack said.
"The Bombers ruckman was spoken to by club leaders, they expressed their disappointment after he claimed a number of Western Bulldogs players wouldn't be at the club next year if coach Luke Beveridge was still in charge.
"The club expressed their disappointment, saying Draper showed a lack of respect to the opposition, they expressed that is not what the club stands for.
"Eyebrows were certainly raised at the Kennel."
Essendon has been forced to apologise to a rival club after controversial comments from one of its biggest stars. https://t.co/5zYfOfGqUb @_AMcCormack7 @7AFL #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/jNGQTBJi8i
— 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) May 1, 2024
The panel on Channel 7'sย Talking Footy dissected the controversial comments made by the 25-year-old.
How would've Joel Selwood as captain reacted to Sam Draper's commentary on the Western Bulldogs?
"You'd scratch your head, for starters!" pic.twitter.com/nk2GGM0uwL
— 7AFL (@7AFL) May 1, 2024
Geelong premiership captain Joel Selwood was baffled by the comments Draper made, saying: "You'd scratch your head for starters.
"It's so loose, how he's gone about it and show how simple a podcast he thought no one would hear, that would mean nothing, how much of an impact it can have on so many platforms."
Richmond champion Trent Cotchin agreed with Selwood, alluding to the fact that "nothing gets missed in this day and age".
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge will appear in front of the media on Thursday for his weekly press conference, with little doubt he'll be asked about Draper's comments.
