If the cookie crumbles a certain way on draft night, Sid Draper sees his way through to pick 5 (6) after Lalor, FOS, Jagga, Langford are off the board:

The trait which immediately stands out with Draper is his turn of speed. He posted the top agility test time nationwide during the 2023 preseason (7.80 seconds), and it translates on-field where he is near-impossible to lay a hand on. Some of his best action shots this year feature him literally standing on his toes as he darts away at angles which defy belief.

His lightning acceleration makes him an asset in bringing contested ball to the outside. Draper's hands on the inside are supremely clean, and once he recaptured his usual touch as the season wore on, he got to showcase that kind of ability at senior level. He also uses his speed to take the game on in attacking phases, making carving runs through the corridor to set up scores.

One of Draper's best plays throughout his junior career came late in last year's SANFL Under 18s Grand Final, where he took off with three bounces before helping set up Dakota Sterzl for the game-sealing goal. Not only was it a passage which highlighted his enormous talent, but also the guile to recognise when a big moment arrived, and the bottle to take it.

What sets Draper apart even further is his work rate. He is capable of repeat sprint efforts and gets from contest to contest effectively. In that aspect, and with the aforementioned traits, he suits the modern game as a midfielder with balance who can impact on the way forward. The Adelaide supporter even models his game on Port stars Connor Rozee and Zak Butters.

For all his brilliance on the field, Draper also fits the bill off it. He is a diligent and thoughtful in his preparation throughout the week, investing heavily in his football to get the best out of himself. He can also lift others and has been entrusted with leadership roles throughout the pathway. It was no surprise to see him return from injury so emphatically, such is his professionalism.

In terms of his improvement areas, Draper sought to add polish to his disposal this year. Given he often moves at high speeds, his disposal can sometimes waver, though he backs himself in the way of decision making. Durability is the other slight question mark given his relatively slight frame and injuries on the back of a heavy preseason workload. He worked through it, though.

STRENGTHS:

+ Agility
+ Clean hands
+ Leadership
+ Professionalism
+ Speed
+ Work rate

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Durability
- End product

 

He’s the one I hope slips through to 5. Plays taller than he is too.

If the Crows happen to overlook Draper, I hope we pounce. Exactly the type of player we need at the Dees:

capable of repeat sprint efforts and gets from contest to contest effectively. In that aspect, and with the aforementioned traits, he suits the modern game as a midfielder with balance who can impact on the way forward.

In many aspects of their game Smith & Draper are similar players, but Drapers edge in acceleration and top end pace has me leaning his way slightly. Would change the dynamic of our midfield and help us add some speed to transition game.

There is no substitute for speed, especially combined with clean hands and elite decision making. 
Can’t see Crows being brain dead enough to let him slide. 

It would be a huge shock for the crows to pick someone else at pick 4.

  On 02/11/2024 at 23:26, BAMF said:

It would be a huge shock for the crows to pick someone else at pick 4.

Yeah I just can't see it happening. Never even considered the possibility of Draper being there for our pick, but I'd call out his name with zero hesitation if he was!

  On 02/11/2024 at 23:31, Mouseymoo said:

Yeah I just can't see it happening. Never even considered the possibility of Draper being there for our pick, but I'd call out his name with zero hesitation if he was!

Neither can I but the word is that they’re really into Langford

I think Carlton also love Draper big time.

Edited November 2, 2024Nov 2 by dazzledavey36

Sounds like we may need a Finn O'Sullivan thread going if we don't have one already

  On 02/11/2024 at 23:56, Nascent said:

Sounds like we may need a Finn O'Sullivan thread going if we don't have one already

We'll get the right one eventually

  On 02/11/2024 at 23:56, Nascent said:

Sounds like we may need a Finn O'Sullivan thread going if we don't have one already

The least interesting of all the mids IMO, but he's always been linked to Carlton, I assume because of the Walsh connection.

  On 03/11/2024 at 01:15, Adam The God said:

The least interesting of all the mids IMO, but he's always been linked to Carlton, I assume because of the Walsh connection.

Maybe not the perfect comparison but I think he has Heeny like qualities and potential. Strong overhead, excellent athleticism and high impact per possessions. Will start as a half forward but can go through the midfield in time.

Edited November 3, 2024Nov 3 by Nascent

There may be a subplot to this. It wasn't that long ago that it leaked out that Draper was not keen on the Crows after the way they treated Rochelle. Of course, he came out denying he said anything, but Houston was never going to leave Port and how did that end up? Maybe he doesn't want to go to Adelaide, and they are looking at Langford instead.   

Edited November 3, 2024Nov 3 by Older demon

@BAMF agree… It would be a huge shock for the Crows to pick someone else at pick “4”.  If they picked Langford, and Draper was available, I’d be a huge supporter of picking Draper. His class, skill, pace & footy IQ is elite.  He played senior footy this year and adapted against bigger stronger opponents.  Definitely a future star like many of his peers in the top 10 imv 

  On 02/11/2024 at 23:26, BAMF said:

It would be a huge shock for the crows to pick someone else at pick 4.

A lot of the links to Draper feel like the medija have seen a highly touted S.A kid and just connected the dots

The Crow's recent links to Langford may prove that, but as always time will tell

  On 03/11/2024 at 01:36, Nascent said:

Maybe not the perfect comparison but I think he has Heeny like qualities and potential. Strong overhead, excellent athleticism and high impact per possessions. Will start as a half forward but can go through the midfield in time.

In time like Round1 1st quarter. 
Why do people  say about recruits in time, in future, in the next year or two, in about two or three years. Really age is not relevant in some instances. 

Looking at his highlights he is the style of player we need this year for the next decade or more. 

Would love him to fall into our lap, has all the attributes we need.

 

His kicking is a highlight, kicks to a teammate’s advantage not just an up and under merchant.

  On 03/11/2024 at 05:18, 58er said:

In time like Round1 1st quarter. 
Why do people  say about recruits in time, in future, in the next year or two, in about two or three years. Really age is not relevant in some instances. 

Looking at his highlights he is the style of player we need this year for the next decade or more. 

He'll be able to play round 1, as a forward.

He hasn't got the fitness and capacity to run through the midfield at AFL level next year as a 19yr old. Not many kids do.

In time, he will be able to play through the midfield as his game and fitness develops. Kids aren't the finished product at 19.

It's not that hard.

 

Geez he's impressive. He'd play round 1 next year i reckon.

He's my preferred now. With a bullet. Just looks like the next Dangerfield the way he moves. 

Adelaide would be [censored] NUTS to pass on this kid, I really hope they do! 

He's a lot smaller than Dangerfield and plays a very different way. 

I'm not as enamoured as most. I think what you see is close to the finished product with him (as a short, well built, agile inside midfielder with high level technique already) and I'm just not sure that's his level is as good as others in the top 5. I don't particularly like his work in tight, where his feet are really quick but his hands aren't great (for a player of his type) nor his decisions in close. I think his feet buy him a lot of the time he needs to make decisions, which often aren't great.

If we're looking at Draper vs Smith, I like Smith a lot more because he has the types of skills needed to succeed as a small accumulator, which are his hands, his composure, and ability to manage heavy traffic in tight. They're the main question marks I have on Draper. That's not to say he won't be a good player, especially with his obvious professionalism.

  On 04/11/2024 at 04:27, Axis of Bob said:

He's a lot smaller than Dangerfield and plays a very different way. 

I'm not as enamoured as most. I think what you see is close to the finished product with him (as a short, well built, agile inside midfielder with high level technique already) and I'm just not sure that's his level is as good as others in the top 5. I don't particularly like his work in tight, where his feet are really quick but his hands aren't great (for a player of his type) nor his decisions in close. I think his feet buy him a lot of the time he needs to make decisions, which often aren't great.

If we're looking at Draper vs Smith, I like Smith a lot more because he has the types of skills needed to succeed as a small accumulator, which are his hands, his composure, and ability to manage heavy traffic in tight. They're the main question marks I have on Draper. That's not to say he won't be a good player, especially with his obvious professionalism.

I'm hopeful the Jaguar slips to us