Ruckman Sam Draper is yet to play an AFL game, but that hasn't stopped Essendon and St Kilda from engaging in a bidding war for his services.
According to the Herald Sun's Jay Clark and John Ralph, Draper has been offered $250,000 a year to stay at Essendon.
This comes after the Saints offered Draper a $1.8 million deal over four years, reported earlier this week.
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St Kilda are looking at Draper to fill a No.1 ruck position, with youngster Rowan Marshall currently holding the mantle at the Saints.
However, many expect him to be better suited as a No.2 ruckman/forward role.
If Draper decides to move to the Saints, reports suggest the Bombers could ask for a second-round pick.
However, St Kilda may not want to part with a high pick for Draper, given he is untested at an AFL level.
Draper was pushing for senior selection last month, before he suffered an ACL injury during a VFL match against Geelong.
Essendon coach John Worsfold at the time said the injury was a disappointing one.
“It’s disappointing for Sam, because his development has been outstanding and we were really pleased with how he has been going," Worsfold said.
“He’s been an emergency and very close (to senior selection), so it is really disappointing for him.”
However, Worsfold backed him to recover well.
“I was talking to (ruck coach) Mark Jamar today and he said we know Nic Naitanui and Max Gawn have both had knee reconstructions.
“It’s all ahead for Sam, he’ll be up and about and he’s got a really bright career ahead of him.”
Essendon may now be more desperate to keep Draper after ruckman Tom Bellchambers injured himself in last night's shock win against the Giants.
Tom Bellchambers is iced up on the bench after this ruck contest. #AFLDonsGiants pic.twitter.com/pMABBlOrcP
— AFL (@AFL) June 27, 2019
Speaking post-game, Worsfold gave an update on the ruckman's injury.
"It's a lower leg injury," Worsfold said.
"We're not sure, it may be a calf. It'll be a scan and we'll assess it from there, but it does appear to potentially be a strain of some sort."
Cale Hooker and Shaun McKernan were forced to cover Bellchambers' absence in the ruck for the rest of the game, and both helped Essendon get over the line against flag contenders GWS.