Player Watch Sid Draper

[Danger in Texas]

Draper has shown he has a number of standout traits that can allow him to become a high level AFL midfielder

There are also aspects of his game that are greener than we thought (positioning and decision making), and expose him in an AFL setup right now

Both things can be true. We just have to ride out his development

 

[Southerntakeover]

Draper has shown he has a number of standout traits that can allow him to become a high level AFL midfielder

There are also aspects of his game that are greener than we thought (positioning and decision making), and expose him in an AFL setup right now

Both things can be true. We just have to ride out his development

What can also be true is that his current 'greenness' is influenced by our decisions earlier in the year, and his lack of confidence is influenced by the lack of consistency in his selection.

These were the exact same things we said about Curtin, right up until the club backed him at selection through bad form this year and weirdly he improved.

 

[adelaidecrows]

What can also be true is that his current 'greenness' is influenced by our decisions earlier in the year, and his lack of confidence is influenced by the lack of consistency in his selection.

These were the exact same things we said about Curtin, right up until the club backed him at selection through bad form this year and weirdly he improved.

Good players take their opportunities no matter how they come. Isnt it funny how we always seek to blame the club. It was always established the club was going to select for the here and now this year. The club looked to pump games into both Curtin and Draper and unfortunately it reached a stage that we could no longer carry both. Winning every game in the second half of the season and finishing 1st is honestly vindication we had the right balance to the side.

No matter how its spun, the club gave him ample opportunity to put a stamp down and demand selection for a follow up game. He simply didnt take it. He was nothing more than a below average sub and failed to impact the game whenever he was on. Had a few good moments here and there but we simply cant keep blaming the club. If anyone should be void of confidence its Dowling. Got absolutely screwed sideways at selection and he came in and did well for his only appearance which is something he has managed to do every time he has come in.

The same cant be said about Draper. Doesnt mean he was crap, it just means he didnt produce enough. At some point we need to move away from the club screws young players narrative.

 

[adelaidecrows]

Draper has shown he has a number of standout traits that can allow him to become a high level AFL midfielder

There are also aspects of his game that are greener than we thought (positioning and decision making), and expose him in an AFL setup right now

Both things can be true. We just have to ride out his development

Exactly!

I just dont understand how people got the impression he was going to be this standout AFL player from day 1. Its a complete insult to existing AFL players at how hard the game really is. Even when presented with the evidence of at least a dozen examples of elite footballers been bog average in their first few years. It takes time.

 

[1990crow]

Draper has shown he has a number of standout traits that can allow him to become a high level AFL midfielder

There are also aspects of his game that are greener than we thought (positioning and decision making), and expose him in an AFL setup right now

Both things can be true. We just have to ride out his development

I'm confident he will come good. Once he has the body, tank and up to the speed of the game he will be a gun.

 

[Danger in Texas]

What can also be true is that his current 'greenness' is influenced by our decisions earlier in the year, and his lack of confidence is influenced by the lack of consistency in his selection.

These were the exact same things we said about Curtin, right up until the club backed him at selection through bad form this year and weirdly he improved.

Not sure we can say outright that the current faults in his game are solely because of not being selected at AFL level

Even through Curtin’s form in the first half of the year, although it wasn’t nearly on the level as his back end has been, he was making enough of an impact with his disposal to persist. Can’t really say the same about Draper

 

[adelaidecrows]

Not sure we can say outright that the current faults in his game are solely because of not being selected at AFL level

Even through Curtin’s form in the first half of the year, although it wasn’t nearly on the level as his back end has been, he was making enough of an impact with his disposal to persist. Can’t really say the same about Draper

Got to say, one of Curtins stand out traits is impact possessions. I think he had probably the best 7 possession game ive ever seen against North Melbourne. Every time he got it, something happened for the Crows.

 

[40porpoise]

Even when Curtin was played out of position last year I was confident he was going to be one hell of a player.

I dont quiteeee feel the same about Sid at the moment.

Still think he'll be a good player, but im cooling my expectations on him being a 'great' player. Disposal and decision making is not quite at the level yet

 

[moogerfooger]

Even when Curtin was played out of position last year I was confident he was going to be one hell of a player.

I dont quiteeee feel the same about Sid at the moment.

Still think he'll be a good player, but im cooling my expectations on him being a 'great' player. Disposal and decision making is not quite at the level yet

Decision making is grossly underrated when it comes to expectations of new draftees. They're suddenly playing the game at a significantly higher speed, expected to execute their role in much more complex structures than they've experienced before. For high draft picks, they've grown up being "the man" and now they have to adjust to being a role player. They're 18 and their brain isn't even fully developed.

IMO this is the biggest hurdle a new draftee has to overcome before they're truly ready to be a regular AFL player.

 

[Southerntakeover]

Even when Curtin was played out of position last year I was confident he was going to be one hell of a player.

I dont quiteeee feel the same about Sid at the moment.

Still think he'll be a good player, but im cooling my expectations on him being a 'great' player. Disposal and decision making is not quite at the level yet

This is retcon though.

People crapped all over Curtin earlier this year, the same way they did Thilthorpe before he clicked, the same way they did Fog.

This happens every time we draft someone then don't play them. People start deciding they need to defend the club by exaggerating the player's flaws to justify what we've done.

Draper is off the pace a bit because he hasn't been given a block of games, and was put under pressure with a 'earn your spot for finals' game whilst his confidence is a bit off.

He's shown more than enough flashes to know there's something there. It's your job in development to do what's necessary to bring it out, and its far more likely to be brought out if you had sunk games into him rather than telling him to work it out himself at an irrelevant level. It's an investment. Saying we'll only buy a stock if it's already at peak value isn't a good strategy.

 

[jackster83]

Imagine using a top five pick on this guy and then playing plebs like Berry, Jones and Schoenberg ahead of him.

 

[Mr_Moogle]

Looked a million bucks in the early part of the season. Nicks did what he always does. Shat his pants when Sid turned in a few bad games and left him to wallow in the reserves for most of the year. When they finally did give Draper another chance, they played him out of position.

 

[Soggy2112]

Looked a million bucks in the early part of the season. Nicks did what he always does. Shat his pants when Sid turned in a few bad games and left him to wallow in the reserves for most of the year. When they finally did give Draper another chance, they played him out of position.

When Curtin cracked it I thought Nicks had finally got it.

Put these guys in, show them faith, and let them adjust to the level.

But here we are, Nicks is scared to back Dan in in the big moment, despite him playing pretty well, and wasted a year of Sid in the 2s, giving games to blokes that looked scared of their shadow on the big stage.

Sid needs to play round 1, and never leave. I don’t care if he has 3 touches in a game. BACK HIM IN.

 

[hugecannon]

When Curtin cracked it I thought Nicks had finally got it.

Put these guys in, show them faith, and let them adjust to the level.

But here we are, Nicks is scared to back Dan in in the big moment, despite him playing pretty well, and wasted a year of Sid in the 2s, giving games to blokes that looked scared of their shadow on the big stage.

Sid needs to play round 1, and never leave. I don’t care if he has 3 touches in a game. BACK HIM IN.

Also Nicks and the coaches need to rewatch what made him such a high pick and let him develop in that role regardless of the inevitable inconsistency he will deliver.

He’s an attacking mid - let him attack without being a complete slave to structures and just allow him to be free
to develop at his own rate

 

[Scorpus]

An enormous amount rests on this kid. Hope he's up to the pressure

 

[Crow till I die]

Almost priority number 1 is to get him straight into the main midfield mix and hope he has a massive preseason. Has a real poiint of difference with his burst speed from a contest

 

[Soggy2112]

An enormous amount rests on this kid. Hope he's up to the pressure

Which is precisely why he needs the backing of our coaches. He shouldn’t have to go in to every game feeling he needs to prove himself. We know that he has the tools, we need him relaxed, confident and able to go out there, play freely and get used to the level.

We saw the blueprint of what that did for Curtin’s game.

I think a good role would be to have a 3-way rotation of mid/forward/bench with Rankine, Rachele and Draper, with Sid having more bench time than the latter two.

Given 30-40% CBAs is IMO the right balance for Rankine anyway, I think this kills two birds with one stone.

 

[Cromulant]

Which is precisely why he needs the backing of our coaches. He shouldn’t have to go in to every game feeling he needs to prove himself. We know that he has the tools, we need him relaxed, confident and able to go out there, play freely and get used to the level.

We saw the blueprint of what that did for Curtin’s game.

I think a good role would be to have a 3-way rotation of mid/forward/bench with Rankine, Rachele and Draper, with Sid having more bench time than the latter two.

Given 30-40% CBAs is IMO the right balance for Rankine anyway, I think this kills two birds with one stone.

Sid isnt a forward though.

 

[Soggy2112]

Sid isnt a forward though.

That won’t be his role 5 years from now, but it’s a way to get him in to the game. I also don’t see why he couldn’t make valuable contributions as a forward? In particular at forward stoppages, having 2 of Rankine, Rachele and Draper, and sometimes all 3 would be a nightmare for opposition defences. Being able to rely on scoring from forward stoppages is one of those things that can really separate you from other sides.

 

[1970crow]

Imagine using a top five pick on this guy and then playing plebs like Berry, Jones and Schoenberg ahead of him.

And Murphy.

 

[I Lost My Keays]

Draper should’ve played all games this year barring injury ahead of Berry.

 

[Cromulant]

Draper should’ve played all games this year barring injury ahead of Berry.

Nah.

A block of 6, then a week off, another 5, a week off etc.

No player who hasn't done a full pre season can play 24 games let alone a 19yo

 

[Syd Crow]

And Murphy.

and playing Murphy as a midfielder in SANFL team.....

 

[cleanhands]

and playing Murphy as a midfielder in SANFL team.....

 

[hugecannon]

I know his kicking can be a bit hit and miss but I’d like to see him rotate between CBA and the wing rather than FP and occasional CBA time.

Try and get him out in some space to utilise his speed and protect his body a bit as well.