Why Harris Andrews believes Jaspa Fletcher, Oscar Allen and Sam Draper can keep three-peat alive

Essendon big man Sam Draper also joins us and the 2017 No. 1 draft pick looks set to replace McInerney. The hired pair arrived last week and put in grueling fitness sessions under the Queensland sun.

The 26-year-old Allen, who missed most of the 2025 season after undergoing knee surgery but is still recovering from calf and Achilles issues, has already made an impression on Andrews and the role he can play in developing rising young forwards Logan Morris, Kai Lohmann and Ty Gallop.

“Obviously it’s disappointing to lose Cal, but he also has to take care of his family and he’s a little closer to home. [in Western Australia] this is important,” Andrews said.

“I won’t go so far as to say we’re a target club for the AFL, but we’ve certainly managed to do a good job of finding really high-quality players over the last five years. Oscar was West Coast’s captain, so I’ll definitely pick his brain a bit on the leadership front and he’s got a lot to offer us in that area.”

Other additions to the Den include much-touted draftee Daniel Annable, with pick No.6 aiming to break into a midfield boasting Lachie Neale, Hugh McCluggage, Josh Dunkley and the Ashcroft brothers Will and Levi.

It has already caught Andrews’ attention; Andrews praises the youngster as “super fit, very talented and a really great football mind” who will improve with the motivation of “trying to knock some of the older players off their feet”.

Replacing Starcevich, who misses most of 2025 with concussion, rising star Jaspa Fletcher will take on a more senior role as she recovers from shoulder surgery; He will take on this role alongside injured teammate Jarrod Berry (shoulder).

Fletcher, who finished with a career-best tackle for disposals (575 in 21.3 per game) after finding a home in the backline, with clearances inside 50s (68 in 2.52) and rebounding 50s (91 in 3.37), was adamant there were other gears to reach.

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“This is a different challenge for me and something I haven’t experienced much coming back from an operation. [But] I’m looking forward to it and I have a great friend in Bez who will help me,” said Fletcher.

“I was pretty proud of last year but I know I can get better. I’ve been looking at 2026 after my surgery, I’ll try to attack my rehab as much as I can and get my body ready to go – I can run now which is nice.”

Andrews said Starcevich will be a difficult man to replace.

“He’s one of the best teammates of all time to play with – he’s so tough and resilient out there – and obviously we’re going to miss his ability to lock down on really dangerous small forwards,” he said.

“But at the same time, I think he missed maybe 13 or 14 games last year and…we were able to work through that. Unfortunately, when guys leave, others step in.”