The race for Essendon ruckman Sam Draper is heating up, with Brisbane adding itself to the list of clubs chasing the 26-year-old.

Draper is currently weighing up a four-year offer from the Bombers, but is being heavily courted by Adelaide, who are attempting to lure him back to his home state.

However,ย AFL Media's Cal Twomey has reported that the Lions have entered the race for the former soccer player, making it three different states interested in him.

"The ruck market is fascinating this year," Twomey said onย Gettable.

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"I want to talk about Brisbane. All three of their ruckman are signed until the end of next year.

"Brisbane is among the clubs circling Sam Draper. They're in the free agency market, we know their interest in Oscar Allen.

"This will come as a shock... the Bombers have put forward a four-year offer, but the premiers have thrown their hat into the ring."

It comes as the reigning premiers weigh up the futures of ruck duo Oscar McInerney (31 in July) and Darcy Fort (32 in August), with the former currently dealing with injuries that have plagued his 2025.

Henry Smith poses as a replacement, but given his inexperience at the top level, having played only four games since being drafted in 2020, it has become apparent that Chris Fagan would prefer a stopgap ruckman.

All three Lions rucks are contracted until the end of next year.

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Twomey's report follows the discussion ofย Tradies Podcast hosts, Channel 7's Mitch Cleary andย The Age's Sam McClure.

"I'd have him 70-30 (per cent split) going ... my mail is that he's leaving. Early mail, though," McClure told the Tradies podcast.

Cleary said he didn't think the Crows had "given up hope" in their pursuit of the big Bomber, but was confident he'd remain at Tullamarine.

"There was plenty of noise that he was close to committing to the Bombers โ€” I don't know how close that is ... 65-35 (per cent split), stays," Cleary said.

Draper's status as an unrestricted free agent could be a blessing in disguise for the Bombers, despite the Victorian club's inability to match a rival's offer.

It also means Essendon won't have to enter trade discussions for the South Australian, which will lead to a draft pick as compensation.

Hawthorn's Josh Battle departed St Kilda as an unrestricted free agent, and yielded Pick 8 as compensation.