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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

Many here seem to think Kolt was a huge tick last year… he’s still a wait and see for me. Windsor ENORMOUS tick, yes, but I didn’t see anything from Kolt which suggested he’s a guaranteed star.

Guaranteed star is a very high bar, but I saw plenty to suggest that if he puts the work in the kolt will become an A grader, a star. Smart, good user, good footy iq, good hands - and has the key thing all stars have: x factor. I tgink it easy to be seduced by how quickly players like daicos and Windsor impact at AFL level. But at the end of the day, kolt was in his first season of AFL football. With another preseason under his belt he will go up another level and a 60% damaging small forward, 40% inside mid. Future looks very bright for the kolt IMV.

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.

I follow this guy closely and enjoy his draft content. Well worth the follow.

I've always found it fascinating - and to be honest grotesque - that the potential death of a 100 or 150 year old club, loved by tens of thousands of people, appears to evoke ecstasy in some people. They couch the prognostications in earnest language, assuring us of the infallibility of their economic orthodoxy, but you can see the tent in their pants from space.

Confirmed Jones and Bassett have joined the Dees. Random dude: Ethan? Ethan Tremblay: Yes? Random dude: You’ve done it again! #EthanTremblayTheTradeWhisperer #HowDoesHeDoIt?

I thought the Kolt looked very tough and classy in the second half of 2024 Season

You do realise the kid played most of his matches whilst still 18? He averaged 12 possession and almost a goal a game. Your expectations are delusional

I see Kolt a the apprentice to Jack Viney, tough contested relentless… a role that’s challenging until you’ve a couple of pre-seasons under your belt. Kolt loves contest, and has a strut that means he’ll be a team lifter and drawn to nailing his moments. lots to like about him.

He'll make it. I agree tho, the ceiling very much up for debate

First forward we've had since Hogan who isn't afraid to crash a pack. His goal tally for this season would be pushing 40+ if he wasn't forced to play as a second ruck.

Really missing the facepalm emoji

Mixed emotions with Trac, proved that he’s all about himself first and the team/club second. Hope the leaders hold him accountable this year as almost everyone will expect him to walk at the end of the year. His year was decent until the injury, nothing more and nothing less

Fingers crossed he can get back to his best after such a devastating injury. It won’t be easy. And I am still peeved that Darsknee Moore was able to get away with such a blatant act of violence with so little scrutiny!

Really He was in great form before the KB debacle I would prefer not to focus on what happened after that other than to say if things weren’t being managed professionally within the club I’m 100% behind his calling that out and I genuinely hope that we move forward better for some hard conversations and hopefully that includes Trac fully committed to the MFC for the rest of his career He is imo our best footballer other than perhaps Max we need him fit firing and 100% focused for the club to be successful in the short to medium term

Any relation of Ben Allan? The West reporting today that we are interested in Bo: The Tigers are one of three clubs interested in Allan and currently have four selections before the WA clubs (picks 1, 6, 10 and 11). St Kilda (picks 7 and 8) and Melbourne (picks 5 and 9) are also interested in Allan, who Jones said has the “potential to captain a club one day”.

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

Kolt is just a young man, only 19. He has the inner competitive edge that JT often looks for. His energy and strength will be as asset. I see him as a Cam Rayner type, with his start being half forward and then rotation through the midfield as required.

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

Yep, not saying I don’t like him. Just feel like his first year was overrated by many on here.

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

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.

I think he's great. He actually reminds me of Dermie - and whatever else Dermie is, he was a tremendous player. And I like him going into the ruck. It gets/keeps him involved, he holds his own doing it, and my feeling is that he enjoys it too. He is a player that seems to love the physical contest.

Needs a big preseason

Champion forward in the making. Can’t understand the doubters.

Melbourne won't be moving up or down the draft order. They'll stay as it is.

Was not a fan of how he handled himself at the end of the year. Needs to earn back the trust of the entire club.

Watt was very good but Loz Pearce when fit is great and it’s time to commit to Campbell so I don’t mind that. Similarly we might commit to the Gall and be happy to move Harris on. Hopefully get Beasley and A Mackin back next year. Is it time for Paxy to call it? Plus Colvin. Small forward, midfield depth, key backs remain the top priority. Be nice to add experience in those spots whilst keeping an early pick in the draft.

Likely to see the Dees consider saying farewell to Grace Hill, Rhi Watt (already retired) and either Gabby Colvin or Paxy. Other clubs might come knocking to attract TAYLA HARRIS. I think the Dees have supported her strongly and should see her repay that if she’s happy in our environment. Tayla is a premium player who can command a key forward or key defender role.

30 goals from a season where our midfield was poor (due to obvious reasons). Not bad at all

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.

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.

@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

You certainly are a fan of Kate and I would love to join your fan club Norm. Loves her footy and I am sure she is highly respected by her opponents and team mates. Always one of the first to congratulate, with her beautiful smile, good play by her team mates. Well done Kate you do your old school proud. I am not fully sure, was it Mentone Grammar?

You’d think she’d be a shot for the AA Captain.

We'll get the right one eventually

Kolt is an intriguing one to me also and probably one I'm following a lot more closely than any other recent draftee, I think because we gave up a bit to trade up and nothing about his skill set screams out to me. But I can see something. There's a doggedness about him that's just waiting for his body to catch up. It won't be through lack of trying or passion that he doesn't cement a spot in the 22

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.

I want to hear commentators adopt ‘weird things’ into the vernacular! Need an alternative to ‘X factor’ and I think you’ve found it @Axis of Bob

Prime for us at 9. Fills a need and at worst is a running back type at best another damaging mid, would be like having a spare Rivers. Want.

add 3 new youngsters at maximum … we have high quality team and need to keep them together!!!

With the season dusted, we turn to the trade and draft period. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1622029/dates-confirmed-2024-aflw-trade-and-draft-dates-locked-in-for-2024-season Perhaps this contracts thread could be pinned like on the AFLM board?

Am going to be boring here and repeat myself, but outside of retaining CP5 & CO13, the best news for Melbourne 2024 is JVR fixing his double grab when marking a third of the way through the season. Will be an absolute weapon in 2025.

I’m not keen on Armstrong at 5 or 9. Nor Reid. Both are good youngsters but I think others are better as well as fit the future structure.

Now currently the AFLW all time top goal scorer. Doesn't surprise me in the least. From the get go, Kate was a super and reliable shot on goal and knew how to get it in dangerous spots. One of the few players at the time that I felt comfortable would nail most of her kicks for goal if she went back and lined up. Has been great seeing her keep taking her game to new levels in recent years and starting to get some credit for it. Agree you @spirit of norm smith what a star and how blessed our AFLW team have been to have such great leaders and great people over the years.

Assume all of us as supporters are probably feeling like the dumb boyfriend whose done something wrong but can’t quite figure out what it was we did and exactly how to mend that bridge but just hope to hell their love and feelings for us (as well as their contract) entice / coerce / motivate Christian to stay and continue to see a future together. Hope the understanding between the club and Christian are much clearer, clarified and understood - or we’ll only see him in red and blue for one more season.

Financially it can support as many teams as it wants but at what cost to the product.

It's the power that I love, but it's a great call RE "weird things". He's definitely unpredictable. That's kind of what I was getting at with my Stevie J comparison early on.

I don’t pretend to know about all the players you critique but is there anybody you like?