Essendon adamant Jordan Ridley will be in red and black in 2026 despite reports of a trade request

Amid reports he is disgruntled and would like to be traded to Brisbane, Essendon made clear on Sunday he did not once mention a potential move in his recent exit interview.

Her said that while he loved the club he was frustrated he had been able to play so few games given a running battle with injuries.

Ridley has played only 19 games in the last two seasons with quad and hamstring concerns and his inability to get on the park is another symptom of the club’s disastrous injury toll.

Essendon’s senior leader and coach Brad Scott have had lengthy and regular meetings with stars to make sure they are aware of the club’s plans to improve their injury toll.

The Dons are desperately hoping unrestricted free agent Sam Draper remains at the club after offering him a five year deal in recent weeks after initially asking him to accept a four season offer with a fifth year trigger.

But he is also assessing the club’s injury management program as he weighs his future.

A club that is already short on A grade talent would be rocked if both Ridley and Draper left.

But while the Dons cannot keep Draper against his wishes the fan base would be mortified if the list management group allowed Ridley to depart under contract.

It remains to be seen whether Ridley might ask about his future in a formal capacity but Essendon is adamant his exit meeting did not see him mention that possibility in any way shape or form.

Brisbane has been mentioned in reports as a possible landing spot but they will use up most of their 2025 draft capital matching a bid for young draftee Dan Annable.

The club is hoping that Darcy Parish and Kyle Langford will stick fat despite their own seasons plagued by injury as Langford suffered repeat quad concerns and Parish battled calf and back injuries.

In a bid to help the players hit the ground running for the pre-season Zach Reid and Nate Caddy will head to the Aspetar clinic in Doha to help with their rehab while Parish will be in Baltimore for his own injury diagnosis and rehab.

The Dons at one stage had 20 players in their injury list this year, and still have over a dozen players who are out of contract.

The club has two first round picks and two second round selections so is keen to build its list with astute drafting.

But Essendon does look as far away as ever from competing for the flag or even winning an elusive final, with the drought dating back to 2004.