Player Watch Sid Draper

[cmndstab]

I reckon any player getting pissed off that a club recruits better players or uses high draft picks on elite talent is probably not a good fit for a team first culture

To be fair, we haven't actually seen any evidence of this. It's just a thought experiment from DABM.

I've always been quietly surprised at how often you'll hear about, say, a ruckman or a KPF working with the new recruit. I'm thinking, hang on mate, if your mentoring is successful, you're out of a job!

 

[Gtowncrow]

Him and Thilthorpe being SA boys and Crows supporters available to us right at the top of the draft is extremely fortunate.

Totally agree but gee whiz, we were very overdue for some draft good fortune.

I also think the Dawson recruitment is at least, as important. Coming home to SA as a star player lays an easy path for others to follow. We've had others previously like Hinge and Benny but Dawson has created a precedent which hopefully continues to benefit us. With a little luck, at least one of those st kilda lads later this year would be awesome.

 

[Gtowncrow]

I wonder how Draper is viewed internally?

Fans obviously gush over a new first rounder, coaches are excited about what they can bring.

Players...? Particularly those at the fringes of the 22 or who might be squeezed out of the middle maybe not quite so enamoured. Have put in years and years and now see someone jump ahead of them.

Is that partly why he was sub and occasionally training in the B team? Just clip his wings a fraction, keep him grounded. Make sure other players see that he is having to earn his stripes and do some time. Not just the Chosen One given instant A Grader status.

Like Milera.
I'm not sure how this is perceived internally but there must be a few who will feel undervalued.

 

[cmndstab]

Totally agree but gee whiz, we were very overdue for some draft good fortune.

I also think the Dawson recruitment is at least, as important. Coming home to SA as a star player lays an easy path for others to follow. We've had others previously like Hinge and Benny but Dawson has created a precedent which hopefully continues to benefit us. With a little luck, at least one of those st kilda lads later this year would be awesome.

I wonder if that had any small part in Cumming and Peatling coming here. Both would have seen someone playing just across town from them, head to the Crows and have his game go to the next level, made captain in his second year, etc.

 

[Jarman3]

Yes and no.

I think most players have had to bide their time, fight their way in, wait for their turn.

Laird's midfield spot was hard-earned and a long time coming for instance.

He finally is there, finishes in the top handful of our B&F every year and is shunted for some young whipper-snapper. Why isn't he dishing out high fives?

Team first sounds great in theory.

He already got Rachele dropped last year, next he'll be probably be giving Draper the Nancy Kerrigan treatment to get his midfield spot back

 

[Cromulant]

I wonder if that had any small part in Cumming and Peatling coming here. Both would have seen someone playing just across town from them, head to the Crows and have his game go to the next level, made captain in his second year, etc.

Maybe a very small part

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Normally you're bang on (except for the Collingwood thing and team sport definitions) but I reckon this take is just slightly off.

Most of the lads get around each other in an AFL environment. Sit around the changerooms for hours just chewing the fat. Playing pranks, having a laugh. Geeing each other up. Lots of different personalities and backgrounds but ultimately they're just a bunch of lads wanting to have a kick. I reckon Sid comes in, this kid is a star, especially if he has a good attitude which is looks like he does, everyone is stoked for his debut. Even the Harrys and Berrys of the world that have been pushed aside. Most of them will either think "gee whiz what a talent. I'll have to push myself to get back into this team", or they will just cruise along and be out of the AFL system in a few years.

Harbouring animosity within an AFL club is pretty rare I reckon.

If you were talking about a team maybe like the 36ers? - absolutely. NBL has a lot of different salaries, roles, the import factor, and a far smaller team fishbowl than the AFL world.

It's not really a take though

Senior players who are fighting for their livelihood being less than impressed with a young kid given games based on potential.

I mean, that's not a theory of mine. It's every single sporting team or workplace in the history of time. It's just one of the dynamics all coaches have to deal with.

I doubt that Marcus Harris and Bancroft, Renshaw, Patterson etc are super pumped to see Sam Konstas get a gig.

Coaches can say Bad luck you old fossils and let Newbie strut his stuff on the big stage straight away.

Or pander to the old fossils and make Newbie earn it with a string of good SANFL games.

Or find a middle ground. Happy families. Newbie is in but coming off the pine. Or as sub. Or spending time on a half forward flank. Thinking that it won't be long before it's obvious to all that he's worthy of starting midfield rotation now, and has earned his place.

When Draper kicks his first goal I'll be interested to see whether there's 17 guys rushing to him, swept up in the excitement of the moment. Good signs if it is. Who wants to be on Laird facial expression watch?

 

[mcleod at 50 lines it up]

Everyone playing the higher levels of sport are aware of their spot and who might take it. Not an unusual thing just part of life.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Everyone playing the higher levels of sport are aware of their spot and who might take it. Not an unusual thing just part of life.

That sounds nice but in reality, Darren Lehmann's effusive praise for a young Michael Clarke and offering to give up his test spot for him is exceedingly rare.

 

[FR0GGY]

That sounds nice but in reality, Darren Lehmann's effusive praise for a young Michael Clarke and offering to give up his test spot for him is exceedingly rare.

I must say there were a couple of boys whose congratulations in the clubs video last week didn’t look overly convincing

 

[GreyCrow]

I aint running from full back to full forward to congratulate someone on kicking their 1st goal for the club

See me at 1/4 time

 

[conVINCEd]

In Adem Yze’s interview this week on Dyl and Friends, he talked about Richmond asking potential draftees last year which other draftee they’d want to go to war with.

Even among the Vic kids, the common answer was ‘Sid Draper’.

Oldies might be grumpy at him but his contemporaries love him.

 

[BucketsNj]

Like Milera.
I'm not sure how this is perceived internally but there must be a few who will feel undervalued.

I think this is Nick’s one wood.
Constantly having conversations with each player and letting them know what they have to do and encouraging them.

 

[jo172]

That sounds nice but in reality, Darren Lehmann's effusive praise for a young Michael Clarke and offering to give up his test spot for him is exceedingly rare.

Wonder if Alex Carey was worried about Inglis' back when he got promoted ahead of him in the order for the last test.

 

[Cromulant]

Wonder if Alex Carey was worried about Inglis' back when he got promoted ahead of him in the order for the last test.

Unlikely, because he was still in the team.

 

[mcleod at 50 lines it up]

That sounds nice but in reality, Darren Lehmann's effusive praise for a young Michael Clarke and offering to give up his test spot for him is exceedingly rare.

I was agreeing with you I think a non issue as the boys still get around each other but self preservation comes first.

 

[WAG]

Players wanting to play for the team they support is becoming more of a thing, according to some media heads in Vic.
Listening to ANB saying how he loved the club growing up and being able to play for them is a dream come true shows this is something we need to lean into more.
Current players that we know supported the club growing up.
Draper
Thillthorpe
Dawson
Rankine
ANB
Michaelanny
Laird
Hinge
Milera
Schoenberg
Dowling
Cook
Welsh

You would have to think we have one of the highest ratios of players who support the club.

The next question is, who else is out there and available that supported us growing up?

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

I was agreeing with you I think a non issue as the boys still get around each other but self preservation comes first.

Sorry I misunderstood

There's always self and team.

The degree that it swings would vary from player to player. Tex supposedly got Walsh's support as captain over Dangerfield and Sloane because when they spoke initially he was all about what the team could do, what we could be, where we could go.

Whereas the other two were about what I can bring to the role, what I would do as leader, my leadership style

 

[FR0GGY]

I aint running from full back to full forward to congratulate someone on kicking their 1st goal for the club

See me at 1/4 time

It was more CNB to CHF for athletes

 

[spenze]

Wonder if Alex Carey was worried about Inglis' back when he got promoted ahead of him in the order for the last test.

Might of been, he had made Inglis give him a piggy back the day before

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Needs a full game in the middle at some point.

Is being eased in which is sensible. Some subbed on / subbed off games. Mostly half forward with a few tastes in the centre square

Might get a breather or SANFL game at some stage too

We're managing him well so far.

But we should earmark a game sometime soon and let him have a crack at it.

Maybe Carlton at home? Or West Coast at home a few weeks later? Starting centre square midfield role. Next step in his first season

 

[Cromulant]

Needs a full game in the middle at some point.

Is being eased in which is sensible. Some subbed on / subbed off games. Mostly half forward with a few tastes in the centre square

Might get a breather or SANFL game at some stage too

We're managing him well so far.

But we should earmark a game sometime soon and let him have a crack at it.

Maybe Carlton at home? Or West Coast at home a few weeks later? Starting centre square midfield role. Next step in his first season

Wouldn't mind us giving him a spell this week, then throwing him into the midfield against the Blues.

We should be rotating guys in and out of the match day squad, especially as young bloke off a limited summer. Blokes in good form in the 2s, reward some of them (Smith and Murphy aside)

 

[Golumless]

Needs a full game in the middle at some point.

Is being eased in which is sensible. Some subbed on / subbed off games. Mostly half forward with a few tastes in the centre square

Might get a breather or SANFL game at some stage too

We're managing him well so far.

But we should earmark a game sometime soon and let him have a crack at it.

Maybe Carlton at home? Or West Coast at home a few weeks later? Starting centre square midfield role. Next step in his first season

Considering we gave Draper 50% CBA's against Gold Coast, pushing in this direction isn't likely to be worth it at this point in time. Seems like the next step in Sid's evolution is just locking down a best 22 role and getting away from the subs vest. Then just giving him additional midfield time when appropriate.

Might be one worth revisiting when injuries hit or depending on how our season goes in round 15-24 (i.e. we're in a situation where we aren't chasing wins as there are some soft matches in that part of the draw). Right now, seems like there is no need to rush things.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Considering we gave Draper 50% CBA's against Gold Coast, pushing in this direction isn't likely to be worth it at this point in time. Seems like the next step in Sid's evolution is just locking down a best 22 role and getting away from the subs vest. Then just giving him additional midfield time when appropriate.

Might be one worth revisiting when injuries hit or depending on how our season goes in round 15-24 (i.e. we're in a situation where we aren't chasing wins as there are some soft matches in that part of the draw). Right now, seems like there is no need to rush things.

Midfielders wither on the vine if left at half forward for too long. Eventually they go cold, risk losing confidence.

Can't wait for convenient circumstances either. Needs to proactive, prescient coaching and selection. Shrewd investment.

 

[Golumless]

Midfielders wither on the vine if left at half forward for too long. Eventually they go cold, risk losing confidence.

Can't wait for convenient circumstances either. Needs to proactive, prescient coaching and selection. Shrewd investment.

If midfielders wither on the vine at half forward, they were never good enough to be the answer you were looking for to begin with. Midfield is as pure of an ability check as there is in football, and those who get left at half forward got outgunned by other, better, options.

Draper is 6 games in, not 50-60 and there is nothing in Sids performances that says "give this guy more midfield time" at this juncture. Most of what his performances indicate there is something worth investing in, but he's going to need a bit more time before he's ready.