Draper set to make return to full training for Bombers

Essendon ruck dynamo Sam Draper will return to full training for the first time since having groin surgery in September, giving the Bombers a massive lift ahead of the AFL season.

But the powerful ruckman is no certainty to feature in round one as he attempts to patiently build towards forming an ominous partnership with veteran recruit Todd Goldstein.

The news of Draper’s return came as Bombers skipper Zach Merrett declared the team was “sick of losing” after promising 2023 season went off the rails and they failed to make the finals.

The Bombers started their first season under Brad Scott brightly but ultimately fell away to finish 11th, including two thumping late losses to GWS and Collingwood.

Draper had groin surgery in September after an injury that dogged the second half of his 2023 season, and is only now nearing full training.

Wednesday shapes as D-Day for Draper, with the ruckman set for his first full-contact session with the main training group.

“The last two weeks, I’ve been running around kicking footies, doing drills here and there with the boys ... which is great,” he said on Tuesday.

“So probably the next step is that genuine training with the group, contact, stuff like that, but hitting speed, that’s no issue.

“So it’s just more the short, sharp stuff, I reckon. And so tomorrow’s a big test for me, so I’m really excited for that.”

Draper insisted Melbourne’s failed one-season experiment of playing Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy together didn’t cast any doubt over his ability to combine with 35-year-old Goldstein.

“Me and Andrew Phillips were playing well together before Gawn and Grundy,” he said with a laugh.

“Goldy is an amazing player too, so I feel like it definitely can work.

“I’m really different to some other rucks I reckon, I can play forward and feel comfortable there.

“We can definitely be a good partnership together.”

Essendon haven’t won a final since 2004 - more than 7000 days ago.

Merrett was adamant the unwanted record wasn’t hanging over the players, but he is keen to go up a gear.

“Players are sick of losing,” Merrett said.

“The competition’s so tight, we know a percentage here and there could be the difference between making finals, making the top four or the bottom four.

“We realised that late in the year when we just got over the two bottom teams in the comp, we really struggled to get those four points. Then we got blown away by some top teams.

Essendon’s 2023 season nosedived after Draper, one of their most important players, was injured in round 13, and the Bombers have no plans on rushing him back.

The Bombers have an unofficial match simulation against St Kilda on February 23, then their one official hit-out against Geelong on March 1.

Draper is hoping to feature at some level before Essendon’s first-round clash with Hawthorn on March 16.

“I’ve been trying not to think too far ahead with this injury ... taking it one week at a time, which has definitely helped,” he said.

“But I definitely am aiming to play some of those practice games. Not sure what that looks like, whether that’s AFL or VFL.

“Scotty (coach Brad Scott) has been really good at saying there’s no pressure on when I come back, whenever I’m 100 per cent good, that’s when I’ll play.

Essendon somewhat steadied a leaky defence last season, but will benefit massively from adding hulking key back Ben McKay this year.

“We improved from 18th to 15th (in team defence rankings), which doesn’t seem like a big deal, but I think we were able to slow teams down a lot more, but they were still able to get through us and score when they went forward,” Merrett said.

“We need to keep bridging that gap. It doesn’t mean we need to be No.1, but we certainly need to bring that gap down to be able to balance our full game plan.”

Merrett said midfielder Darcy Parish had been the Bombers’ best pre-season performer as he eyes a return to his top form, while he personally has slimmed down.

“To be honest, I just felt like last year I was rushed a little bit with the captaincy being announced just before round one,” Merrett said.

“I just feel a little bit more at ease (this year).

“I invested a lot of time and energy into my teammates as well last year, but this year I feel a bit more balanced that as much as I am giving to them, I’m also really homed in on being a better player myself.”