Jye Menzie celebrates at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, April 12. Picture: AFL Photos
THERE was a surprise included in the AFL’s free agency bandings with Essendon’s Sam Draper qualifying as an unrestricted free agent.
The AFL released its list of confirmed free agents for 2025, according to official website AFL.com.au; click here for details
The website says Draper was expected to be in the restricted bandings but was not one of only five restricted free agents in the official free agency list sent to clubs on Monday by the AFL.
There are 102 players who qualify as free agents.
Discussions are said to be under way for an extension at Essendon with Draper, AFL.com.au reports.
RESULTS
On the weekend, the AFL held its Gather Round with some games played in regional South Australia.
On Thursday, Geelong staged a second half revival to put away their Adelaide Crows hosts 18.11(119) to 15.10(100).
The Cats trailed for the first three quarters but ran away in the final quarter with five goals as the Crows could only manage one goal.
Geelong’s Bailey Smith was fined $1000 by the AFL for offensive gestures made to rival fans as players walked down the tunnel.
On Friday at Adelaide Oval, Collingwood proved too good for Sydney with a 16.13(109) to 12.6(78) win.
On Saturday in the Barossa Valley, the Gold Coast Suns proved too strong for North Melbourne with a 21.15(141) to 13.11(89) win.
The Suns put on a seven-goal blitz in the final quarter as the Kangaroos managed only two.
Meanwhile, at Adelaide, the West Coast Eagles were never in the game as Carlton scored an emphatic 17.19(121) to 6.14(50) win.
Across town on the same day, reigning premiers Brisbane defeated the Western Bulldogs 18.10(118) to 14.13(97) but fought back with seven goals in the third quarter as the Bulldogs kicked only two.
Also in Adelaide, Essendon 15.6(96) defeated Melbourne 8.9(57) who had a chance in the first quarter but faded away after that on the scoreboard.
On Sunday in the Barossa Valley, Fremantle mauled Richmond 16.12(108) to 7.5(47) based on a third quarter goal spree, kicking six and conceding one.
In Adelaide, the Giants (16.14.110) held off St Kilda (12.10.82) despite a goal-less final quarter.
Also in town, Port Adelaide (18.13.121) defeated Hawthorn (14.7.91).
