Speculation Harley Reid [OOC 2026]

[Pure_Ownage]

If Essendon doesn’t trade Melbournes future first on draft night and they finish bottom 5 next year, I also think Essendon is definitely finishing bottom 4 next year too. Sam Draper goes to Adelaide and we get first band compensation.
I think Essendon can get Harley Reid and west coast would be persuaded to trade him with that draft capital Essendon would have. Espically with so many top wa prospects in next years draft and Chad Warner, Kossie Picket very gettable players.

Obviously lots to play out, but the main thing would be to convince Harley Reid we’re the club for him. If Geelong, Hawthorn, Collingwood were in for him I’d be 100% sure he’d want to leave west coast for them but Essendon would really have to show big ambitions to lure him. I also actually think he’s happy at west coast too, so to potentially leave a rebuilding club to join another rebuilding club could be tricky.

I personally would trade two top 5 picks for him, and I think that’s probably about his price, given the context of the top end wa prospects and Kossie and Chad on the market. Essendon also would have the cap space too facilitate this deal too, with Redman, Parish, Mckay, Gresham, Langford, Ridley, Merrett frond ended Contract extensions would be below what we’ve paid for them the last couple years. Add in the retirements/delistings of Shiel, Stringer, Heppell, Kelly, Goldstein, potentially Laverde, and we’d have the biggest warchest of cap space.

If everything plays out like the above, which I think is not unrealistic, Essendon should definelty trade for Harley, he’d have a transformative impact on our club, he’s a once in a generation talent, his ceiling is Dusty Martin, and Essendon have not had an A list talent since Hird, could argue Watson, but I defo would trade for Reid but I think I’m in the minority as Essendon fans probably would take that draft hand over trading for Harley. Either way, if Harley stays at west coast I think that’s huge for them and shows they’re not impacted by the go home factor.

Band 1 compensation for Draper? Adelaide list manager would be sacked on the spot.

 

[Call Me Cake]

Band 1 compensation for Draper? Adelaide list manager would be sacked on the spot.

You do know it isn't the Adelaide list manager who decides the band right?

 

[stallon]

You do know it isn't the Adelaide list manager who decides the band right?

The Adelaide list manager actually does decide what salary to offer prospective players

 

[Call Me Cake]

The Adelaide list manager actually does decide what salary to offer prospective players

That's not what I said. I said the band that the AFL decides is appropriate based on it is their doing, not Adelaide.

As for the salary itself, that is influenced by a lot of factors, such as being a factor in a player's decision to move, supply and demand of players in said position + their potential, as well as influencing the original club not to match.

All of those and more play their part in payments, and what you think deserves band 1 or not in terms of compensation itself (which by the way is based the original club's ladder position) is something you take up with the AFL, not Adelaide.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

You do know it isn't the Adelaide list manager who decides the band right?

For any club to pay anywhere near that much for Draper is sackable.

 

[Call Me Cake]

For any club to pay anywhere near that much for Draper is sackable.

Compensation isn't just based on salary, it's based on multiple factors that the AFL arbitrarily decides is fair. It's also not Adelaide's business what a club recieves as compensation.

Second of all, supply and demand. If a player of his position, calibre and age bracket is available and they need/want him (which by all reports they do), then the difference between 700k and 800k+ back-ended deals in order to sway it their way and ward off other offers/a match is negligible.

If you want something, you often need to pay a little more to get it, that's always been known and we've seen it with Battle.

After that it's the AFL's decision not Adelaide's.

 

[amazingjoshy]

Are we talking about the same Sam Draper?

Lol Band 1

 

[stallon]

That's not what I said. I said the band that the AFL decides is appropriate based on it is their doing, not Adelaide.

As for the salary itself, that is influenced by a lot of factors, such as being a factor in a player's decision to move, supply and demand of players in said position + their potential, as well as influencing the original club not to match.

All of those and more play their part in payments, and what you think deserves band 1 or not in terms of compensation itself (which by the way is based the original club's ladder position) is something you take up with the AFL, not Adelaide.

The band depends on what salary hes offered, which is decided by the list manager.
Therefore the list manager essentially decides what band the bombers would get.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

The band depends on what salary hes offered, which is decided by the list manager.

And it’s also dependent on how the AFL want to apply their special sauces to the compo recipe.

 

[stallon]

And it’s also dependent on how the AFL want to apply their special sauces to the compo recipe.

I dont think they go too crazy in general. Yes the compo is generally overs, but from the outside it seems reasonably consistent.
Draper is basically a fringe player at the bombers kept out by a 40 year old, when Draper should be in his prime. Band 3 would be about right tbh considering its generally overs

 

[We_The_West]

I dont think they go too crazy in general. Yes the compo is generally overs, but from the outside it seems reasonably consistent.
Draper is basically a fringe player at the bombers kept out by a 40 year old, when Draper should be in his prime. Band 3 would be about right tbh considering its generally overs

It’s really only the gun AA ruckmen who will get big offers. Not many are getting $1m a year… well maybe in Freo’s case

 

[Call Me Cake]

Draper is basically a fringe player at the bombers kept out by a 40 year old

It's highly noted by the football public that he was injured and that the biggest motivation for signing Goldstein was depth due to this. So not sure why you keep spinning this.

Also remember, none of this would be a factor if it isn't for the prospect of Adelaide wanting him.

The band depends on what salary hes offered, which is decided by the list manager.
Therefore the list manager essentially decides what band the bombers would get.

The band is not Adelaide's concern. Their priority is to table an offer that will get him over and prevent the original club or another from matching (and we will if the offer is low enough).

What happens after that objective is accomplished is the AFL's priority and their doing, not Adelaide's or any club that chases an FA.

 

[stallon]

It's highly noted by the football public that he was injured and that the biggest motivation for signing Goldstein was depth due to this. So not sure why you keep spinning this.

Also remember, none of this would be a factor if it isn't for the prospect of Adelaide wanting him.



The band is not Adelaide's concern. Their priority is to table an offer that will get him over and prevent the original club or another from matching (and we will if the offer is low enough).

What happens after that objective is accomplished is the AFL's priority and their doing, not Adelaide's or any club that chases an FA.

Jesus christ you guys are paying Draper enough to be a RFA, who tf signed him up for that much money???

The bloke isnt even worth pick 25 in a trade