Adelaide free agent Reilly O'Brien has spoken on his preference for 2026 amid his uncertain future and reported rival interest.

O'Brien remains unsigned for next season and is eligible to test the open market given his free agency status, with his situation piquing the interest of other clubs.

The market for ready-made ruckman is expected to be in high demand again this year, with O'Brien among those set to feature.

Essendon's Sam Draper, who is also a free agent, is another, and is said to be in the sights of the Crows, who would be looking to lure the 26-year-old back to his home state.

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Reilly O'Brien and Sam Draper during the AFL match between Essendon and Adelaide, Round 4, 2022 (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media

Amid Adelaide's reported interest in Draper, other clubs are said to be keeping their eye on O'Brien, with reigning premiers Brisbane among the suitors.

Speaking on FiveAA, O'Brien said he'd prefer to remain a Crow, but admitted there is "a bit to play out".

"I'm unsure on how the cards are going to fall and what's happening,"

"My preference is definitely to stay in Adelaide, but there's a bit to play out on that.

"I haven't had those conversations with the club or been informed that (they could prioritise Draper).

Quizzed on whether he has met with rival clubs, O'Brien, who has spent time in Queensland during his club's bye week, denied the suggestion.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Tom De Koning of the Blues and Reilly O'Brien of the Crows during the 2025 AFL Round 08 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Carlton Blues at Adelaide Oval on May 3, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Tom De Koning of the Blues and Reilly O'Brien of the Crows during the 2025 AFL Round 08 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Carlton Blues at Adelaide Oval on May 3, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The 29-year-old remains focused on his football in a bid to steer the Crows back to finals.

"My manager is doing all that behind the scenes," O'Brien said.

"I haven't been privy to that, all the conversations he has and the things that he does.

"I have not met with any other clubs. I haven't spoken to anyone else.

"I'm focusing on getting a kick and playing good footy."

O'Brien has played 135 games for Adelaide since debuting in 2016, holding down the top ruck role at West Lakes since 2019.

He joins Matt Crouch, Lachlan Murphy, Brodie Smith, Harry Schoenberg, Taylor Walker and Kieran Strachan, among others, in being unsigned at Adelaide for next year.