Adelaide hasn't given up on its chase for Essendon free agent Sam Draper despite recent reports that he was heading for Brisbane.
Draper has missed the majority of the 2025 season after rupturing his Achilles tendon following an impressive start to the year.
But the Lions and Crows have been looking to bolster their ruck stocks, with the pair of clubs firmly in the premiership window.
The reigning premiers are looking at life after Oscar McInerney, whose body has battled since last year's preliminary final, with shoulder and back issues plaguing the past 12 months.
As for Adelaide, it is understood that their coach, Matthew Nicks, called Draper in a bid to lure him to South Australia.
Queries over the club's position arose following the three-year extension of ruckman Reilly O'Brien.
"This is quite an extraordinary set of circumstances, because Sam Draper was picking between Essendon and the Brisbane Lions, both of which had offered long-term deals, but a phone call from Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks on the weekend directly to Sam Draper may have just changed things for that player," The Age journalist Sam McClure said on Footy Classified.
"And it now has him, as we sit here tonight, seriously reconsidering the Adelaide Crows as a suitor, such was the vigour and excitement that Matthew Nicks had for Sam Draper on that phone call.
"This is really interesting, given that the Adelaide Crows have just re-signed Reilly O'Brien … But this is a club very much, in Essendon, which has been on its knees, Draper, yes, he doesn't play all the time, but he's a star at his best. He could turn around and say no to Brisbane, say no to Adelaide and stay with the Essendon Football Club."
