Latest news with #EssendonFC
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Albert Park: Essendon's Andrew McGrath's $2m+ deal
Bombers' vice-captain Andrew McGrath and fiance Emma Laughlin have scored a seven-figure sale for their Albert Park house. The couple put their renovated Victorian-era residence on the market in March. Kay & Burton partner James Driver, who had the listing alongside colleague Campbell Kilsby, declined to comment on the price it fetched. But industry sources indicated the three-bedroom abode recently sold above its asking range for $2.675m. McGrath previously told the Herald Sun that he purchased the double-storey pad at 85 Richardson St as his first home, at the age of 21. Prior to Ms Laughlin moving in, he counted Essendon players Jordan Ridley and Sam Durham among his housemates. 'They're like brothers to me and we spent a lot of time enjoying the house and sharing commutes to work,' McGrath said at the time. 'On days off, we had a lot of trips to the beach, as three athletes we spent a lot of time there in recovery and took advantage of the great cafes nearby.' In 2016, McGrath joined the Bombers as number one pick in the national draft. The defender has since collected a number of awards including multiple gongs from his own club, the 2020 Adam Ramanauskas Most Courageous Player award among them. He also received the 2023 and 2024 Bruce Heymanson Best Clubman award. In 2022, McGrath played his 100th match for Essendon and was appointed the team's vice-captain the next year. The Albert Park house's kitchen is fitted with stone benches, Miele appliances and an integrated fridge and freezer. A gas fireplace graces the living and dining area, while floor-to-ceiling sliding doors lead to a rear outdoor space where McGrath added a deck. Two ground-floor bedrooms feature wardrobes, ornate ceilings and open fireplaces. Upstairs, the main bedroom has a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite. Mr Driver said that three sets of buyers competed for the keys during an expressions of interest process before a couple emerged as the successful purchasers. 'There was really strong interest, the property was well inspected from day one by a combination of local and out-of-area buyers,' Mr Driver said. He said that with the Reserve Bank of Australia widely expected to announce further rate cuts to the nation's official cash rate later this year, more buyers were making offers 'rather than sitting on the sidelines'. 'Consumer confidence has lifted in the property market,' Mr Driver added.
News.com.au
29-05-2025
- General
- News.com.au
Lions hold off Bombers fight back
AFL: Brisbane have walked away victorious at the Gabba but not without an impressive fight from a depleted Essendon outfit who almost pulled off a stunning comeback.
ABC News
09-05-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Essendon star Sam Draper details emotional toll of season-ending Achilles injury
Essendon ruck Sam Draper has detailed the emotional toll of his season-ending Achilles rupture, which he said felt very unfair given his career-best form this year. 'I've had some dark moments the last couple of weeks, but I'm OK,' Draper said on his podcast 200 Plus. 'I was devastated when it happened. I don't reckon I've cried that much in my life for the first few days." Draper went down in Essendon's two-point over West Coast in round six, collapsing on the wing before being helped from the field. Scans then confirmed the club's fears of a tendon rupture, resulting in a long stint on the sidelines given the brutal nature of the injury. The 26-year-old is now two weeks post surgery, which he said 'all went well'. 'Once the dust settled and I had the surgery, I feel a lot better now. But it's a weird one, I can't get stuck into my rehab yet, I have to let it heal, which is a weird feeling," he said. "I'll be fine once I get back into routine again. 'It's been adjusting from being so active to just being on the couch and not being able to put any weight through my foot.' That hardest part to grapple with, Draper said, was that it "just didn't feel fair" given his form and hopes for this year. "(I) worked so hard all off season to get my body right, had a good pre-season, come into the best form of my career and have such high expectations for the year," he said. 'It's my contract year too … It was just a gutting feeling, and seeing the team needing me out there, it is such a hard one to take. 'That's the thing I have been thinking about, 'what could I have done differently? Was I sore?'. But it was completely out of my control that one.' Draper is an unrestricted free agent at the end of this year, with interest from other clubs, notably Adelaide. Given his contract status, there's a possibility Draper has played his final game for Essendon. Following his injury, the Bombers fan-favourite posted to social media that he was blown away by the support but emphasised that it felt unfair. "I truly love playing footy and it's going to hurt so much not being able to do what I love but that brings me so much motivation to be back stronger and better than ever," he posted to Instagram."I'll be back snapping some goals again soon." Essendon general manager of football Daniel McPherson said it was an especially devastating blow for Draper and the club given his start to the season. 'He's worked so hard over the course of the pre-season and had started the season really strongly," McPherson said when the extent of the injury was announced by the club.'Sam's obviously an important player for us but he's also such a beloved member of this group by players, staff and fans alike. We'll support him through his rehab."
