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While clubs have pushed free agents for clarity on their intentions and sometimes put the acid on them to stay, Scott is taking the same approach with Draper as he did with Darcy Parish, Mason Redman and Andy McGrath when they were free agents in 2023 and 2024. Redman was heavily courted by the Crows before signing a long-term deal.
“I’ve still the same view,” Scott said of his attitude to Draper’s choice. “One of the benefits of the system now with free agency is that you get eight years with a player, to show the vision of the club, the professionalism, all the things to enable the player to enjoy some success either now or in the future.
“I think eight years is enough to do that. I just think it’s incumbent on the club to be able to prove to the player they can do that. And if they can’t, then the player probably makes the decision to move.
The Essendon coach also communicated to Draper that his hands-off approach to the contract discussions did not mean he was anything but keen for him to stay. Draper is viewed as an upbeat presence in the playing group who helps team morale.
“I’ve made it clear to him how much we value him, only to say that my lack of interference in his contract, don’t take that for lack of interest or a lack of how much I rate him or rate his importance to us.
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“So I’ve just made it clear it’s his decision to make. I’ll support him in terms of if he wants to talk to me about that he can. But I won’t be putting pressure on him, just like I didn’t put any pressure on Darcy Parish or Mason Redman or Andy McGrath.
“Potentially it is possible to coerce … a player in to staying. A player in the end resents that and looks back and thinks that they were either guilted into staying or coerced into staying – I think that’s a bad outcome for everyone.
“If that’s the case, you’re not going to get the best out of that player.”
Asked about the compensation if Draper was offered a massive deal, and how the coach would weigh those factors, Scott said: “That’s a club-based decision, in terms of list management at the executive level.”
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While clubs have pushed free agents for clarity on their intentions and sometimes put the acid on them to stay, Scott is taking the same approach with Draper as he did with Darcy Parish, Mason Redman and Andy McGrath when they were free agents in 2023 and 2024. Redman was heavily courted by the Crows before signing a long-term deal.
“I’ve still the same view,” Scott said of his attitude to Draper’s choice. “One of the benefits of the system now with free agency is that you get eight years with a player, to show the vision of the club, the professionalism, all the things to enable the player to enjoy some success either now or in the future.
“I think eight years is enough to do that. I just think it’s incumbent on the club to be able to prove to the player they can do that. And if they can’t, then the player probably makes the decision to move.
The Essendon coach also communicated to Draper that his hands-off approach to the contract discussions did not mean he was anything but keen for him to stay. Draper is viewed as an upbeat presence in the playing group who helps team morale.
“I’ve made it clear to him how much we value him, only to say that my lack of interference in his contract, don’t take that for lack of interest or a lack of how much I rate him or rate his importance to us.
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“So I’ve just made it clear it’s his decision to make. I’ll support him in terms of if he wants to talk to me about that he can. But I won’t be putting pressure on him, just like I didn’t put any pressure on Darcy Parish or Mason Redman or Andy McGrath.
“Potentially it is possible to coerce … a player in to staying. A player in the end resents that and looks back and thinks that they were either guilted into staying or coerced into staying – I think that’s a bad outcome for everyone.
“If that’s the case, you’re not going to get the best out of that player.”
Asked about the compensation if Draper was offered a massive deal, and how the coach would weigh those factors, Scott said: “That’s a club-based decision, in terms of list management at the executive level.”
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.
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