AFL Player # 2: Sam Draper

[Dave]

Contract Status: Out of contract 2025
My Boy Draft 2024: Pick 20, TheUnicorn

 

[RedmanWasHere]

Is the Russian still at the Dons?

 

[eth-dog]

Is the Russian still at the Dons?

Think he's still the ruck coach

 

[RedmanWasHere]

Think he's still the ruck coach

He needs to stay the whole of Draper's time at the club.

Draper is slowly putting it all together I'm noticing.

 

[Big Slam]

He needs to work on timing his jump into ruck contests a lot better.

He’s got a good leap on him, but currently he’s relying on it too much and trying to jump way too early which results in him often taking himself out of the ruck contest - just like Jeff White used to do.

Thankfully Draper has tremendous dexterity which allows him to take a 2nd swipe at the ball on the way down, but if he could work on meeting and talking the ball at its highest point by timing his jump and using his leading leg to negate the opposing ruckman he’d be so much more impactful - because he does have great tap touch, he’s just not getting proper purchase on his taps because he’s jumping too early.


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[Seb78]

Was beaten but good learning experience

"Learning"

That you Woosh?

 

[BrunoV]

Is the Russian still at the Dons?

Doubt he's gone to the hub in a part time role.

He has a full time job.

 

[BrunoV]

He needs to work on timing his jump into ruck contests a lot better.

He’s got a good leap on him, but currently he’s relying on it too much and trying to jump way too early which results in him often taking himself out of the ruck contest - just like Jeff White used to do.

Thankfully Draper has tremendous dexterity which allows him to take a 2nd swipe at the ball on the way down, but if he could work on meeting and talking the ball at its highest point by timing his jump and using his leading leg to negate the opposing ruckman he’d be so much more impactful - because he does have great tap touch, he’s just not getting proper purchase on his taps because he’s jumping too early.


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Was basically coming here to post the same thing.

There was nothing was wrong with Draper's leap when we was jumping all over McInerney and Mumford. Paddy is a master technician and Draper struggled to read the ball to time his jump.

His ruck work is immaterial at this point. There's not a lot of physical training because contract is restricted. Bellchambers is cooked and Phillips' ruck work is not his strength. Draper's ruck work has no bearing on the performance of the midfield but his follow up and intensity around the ground probably does.

 

[Big Slam]

Draper's ruck work has no bearing on the performance of the midfield but his follow up and intensity around the ground probably does.

Absolutely.

His effort and effectiveness at ground level along with a genuine desire to hit the body/lay tackles is extremely promising for such an inexperienced player - especially at his size. His speed and agility is very impressive and bodes well for the future.



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[TheGrizz]

Unless he pulls up sore, he just has to play every game for the rest of the year, form be damned.

He justs needs games, and with their ublikely to have another period as condensed as what we have just done he should be ok.

 

[owen87]

Paddy is a master technician and Draper struggled to read the ball to time his jump.

People have forgotten just how good Ryder is, injuries have curtailed him the last few years but St Kilda have managed him well. He's got an immense leap on him, and is a fantastic tap ruckman. At his best he's as good as anyone in the comp, he just can't do it for long periods anymore.

No shame for a young Draper to struggle against a double team, or for Ryder to get the better of him.

 

[naraku]

Draper has been a bright spot in a pretty lousy month.

We see now why the Saints wanted to poach him from us, he's got great potential.

 

[Ambrosia]

He’s gonna be good

 

[TheDinosaur]

10 year deal pls


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[eth-dog]

I said 4 years would be unders at the end of it... I didn't expect it to be unders at the start.

 

[boncer34]

Jeez he's good

 

[Yoda_]

This bloke will captain the club one day

 

[eDPS]

The hype is well and truly justified

 

[Kong]

This guy looks like everything we've lacked in a ruckman since... Salmon?

 

[Yoda_]

This guy looks like everything we've lacked in a ruckman since... Salmon?

Reminds me a little of John Barnes if I may say

 

[The Prosecutor]

This bloke will captain the club one day

I get we're all mullet drunk at the moment but no, he won't.

 

[BrunoV]

Soldo, who is a monster, monstered Draper in the ruck the last time the met (Draper always has him around the ground). Thought it was a much more even contest this time around.

Loved Sam's work rate. He was following up his own ruck work onto the wing and getting back to defensive 50 to compete in marking contests in what was the same passage of play.

He's really tightened his kicking action up. Fewer moving parts and it no longer looks like it will fall apart.

 

[JayJ20]

We really have found a player here. Glad we kept him from St Kilda.

 

[RedmanWasHere]

Draper didn’t dominate.
Neither did Soldo.

Soldo has the higher rating.

Therefore, Draper won for me.

 

[Donakebab]

Uses his size, shows mongrel, follows up with 2nd efforts, gets around the ground getting the ball and taking marks.

The anti-Bellchambers.

 

[WindyHillWarrior]

I get we're all mullet drunk at the moment but no, he won't.

Man buns are looking prettay sweet right about now.