Player Watch Sid Draper

[GreyCrow]

The Tippett sanctions and Gibbs trade limited our access to top picks.

Funnily enough those making the "when was the last time argument" seem to be the same people hard core into the "we need to bottom out to rebuild to access picks". Then they are the most upset that we have lost all these games in the rebuild (that got us access to picks) and those losses prove we suck....

Stop making stuff up

We were all in on the rebuild - unfortunately the club forgot to tell the Bots when the actual rebuild started - some have their years mixed up

There is only a philosophical difference on how to approach a rebuild - there are those who thought more games into newer players v those who thought a slow more senior approach was the way

And before anyone claims that this year proves the 2nd point it doesnt - this year could have been last year in another dimension

 

[ABAB]

Not sure on Sloane, he was 'elite' for half a year.

Ranked the best player in the competition at that time until clubs tagged him.

 

[Cromulant]

Ranked the best player in the competition at that time until clubs tagged him.

So yes, half the year.

 

[George CantStandYa]

The Tippett sanctions and Gibbs trade limited our access to top picks.

Funnily enough those making the "when was the last time argument" seem to be the same people hard core into the "we need to bottom out to rebuild to access picks". Then they are the most upset that we have lost all these games in the rebuild (that got us access to picks) and those losses prove we suck....

Do you always bullshit when trying to make a point?

 

[AFC979810]

Do you always bullshit when trying to make a point?

Yes he does.

 

[WeeBlake]

Sid is no Max Holmes, has limited weapons. He'll have a decent career but will never be a top AFL footballer. Would trade him for Harvey Langford in a heartbeat

Admire the confidence in your opinion. TBH I got burnt with watching Curtin last year, was really worried about him, and look what happened this year!

Having said that, I have always had reservations about Sid’s midfield craft. His speed and endeavour are absolutely top notch, but the essential skills of a midfielder are decision making and ball handling, and I think he still has a lot of work to do on those. He’s like the anti-Curtin: time does not seem to slow down for Sid.

 

[cmndstab]

I feel like I was watching a different player earlier this year than some others here when it comes to Draper.

When he was in the midfield, he seemed extremely natural to me. Great pressure on the opposition, good at taking the ball and exiting the contest, good offensive drive when the chance presented itself. Not an elite user at this stage but that isn't what he was drafted on. I remember commenting on here how nice it was to have a brand new draftee come into the AFL system and immediately look like they belonged at the level.

It was only when we moved him elsewhere that he struggled and ultimately lost his place in the side.

 

[Cromulant]

I feel like I was watching a different player earlier this year than some others here when it comes to Draper.

When he was in the midfield, he seemed extremely natural to me. Great pressure on the opposition, good at taking the ball and exiting the contest, good offensive drive when the chance presented itself. Not an elite user at this stage but that isn't what he was drafted on.

It was when we moved him elsewhere that he struggled and ultimately lost his place in the side.

Yeah he's not a forward IMO.

 

[WeeBlake]

I feel like I was watching a different player earlier this year than some others here when it comes to Draper.

When he was in the midfield, he seemed extremely natural to me. Great pressure on the opposition, good at taking the ball and exiting the contest, good offensive drive when the chance presented itself. Not an elite user at this stage but that isn't what he was drafted on. I remember commenting on here how nice it was to have a brand new draftee come into the AFL system and immediately look like they belonged at the level.

It was only when we moved him elsewhere that he struggled and ultimately lost his place in the side.

He had a couple of good moments early in the year, I agree. Also agree that he looked best when he was on the move.

 

[Mr_Moogle]

May have something to do with rewarding great sanfl form v other underperforming afl players...

At no point have I said I'm against dropping spuds like Chayce Jones or not playing cooked older blokes like Smith. I would just rather we promote someone with AFL level athleticism like Draper than Dowling. I couldn't give two shits about rewarding SANFL form.

 

[Cromulant]

At no point have I said I'm against dropping spuds like Chayce Jones or not playing cooked older blokes like Smith. I would just rather we promote someone with AFL level athleticism like Draper than Dowling. I couldn't give two shits about rewarding SANFL form.

Dowlings got that too.

He's just not lightning fast like Sid.

 

[Mr_Moogle]

Dowlings got that too.

He's just not lightning fast like Sid.

If they see AFL traits in Dowling, I'm fine with him getting games. If it's a reward for a high possession game in the SANFL, that's not a reason to promote him. Plenty of absolute spuds can rack up the footy in the SANFL.

 

[CDC60]

Admire the confidence in your opinion. TBH I got burnt with watching Curtin last year, was really worried about him, and look what happened this year!

Having said that, I have always had reservations about Sid’s midfield craft. His speed and endeavour are absolutely top notch, but the essential skills of a midfielder are decision making and ball handling, and I think he still has a lot of work to do on those. He’s like the anti-Curtin: time does not seem to slow down for Sid.

In my defence...I got Curtin 100 per cent correct, which isn't to say I will with Draper. Just not getting the same feeling, although I'll be happy if he's a 200 game player

 

[FR0GGY]

Imagine seeing Murphy picked before you

 

[Soggy2112]

Club needs to be brave here. The easy/safe option will be to just put Murphy, Cook, Taylor, Jones etc in place of Rankine.

While Sid is no where near the level of Izak yet, he’s the only one with the skill set to bring remotely what Izak provides.

In 1997 we backed Goodwin in and it paid off. I think we need to do the same now.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Club needs to be brave here. The easy/safe option will be to just put Murphy, Cook, Taylor, Jones etc in place of Rankine.

While Sid is no where near the level of Izak yet, he’s the only one with the skill set to bring remotely what Izak provides.

In 1997 we backed Goodwin in and it paid off. I think we need to do the same now.

Ken Oath!

Throw caution to the wind. Flip the script on the woe is us doom & gloom that has settled over the club in the last 24 hours

 

[Soggy2112]

Ken Oath!

Throw caution to the wind. Flip the script on the woe is us doom & gloom that has settled over the club in the last 24 hours

100%.

Tactically I think it’s the right play, but as you say, it gives us something to get up and about for and get some positive vibes going again.

 

[cmndstab]

Ken Oath!

Throw caution to the wind. Flip the script on the woe is us doom & gloom that has settled over the club in the last 24 hours

100%. This week is a free hit. Use the opportunity to give us fans something to be excited about rather than feeling miserable.

 

[TBM]

Club needs to be brave here. The easy/safe option will be to just put Murphy, Cook, Taylor, Jones etc in place of Rankine.

While Sid is no where near the level of Izak yet, he’s the only one with the skill set to bring remotely what Izak provides.

In 1997 we backed Goodwin in and it paid off. I think we need to do the same now.

This year has shown that being aggressive and bold is better than being 'conservative', which was our downfall in 2024. Giving Draper a proper opportunity would be symbolic of the former.

 

[adelaidecrows]

This year has shown that being aggressive and bold is better than being 'conservative', which was our downfall in 2024. Giving Draper a proper opportunity would be symbolic of the former.

You would back Dowling in before Sid. He has earned it, Sid has not.

 

[FR0GGY]

You would back Dowling in before Sid. He has earned it, Sid has not.

There’s two spots now, Rankine and Murphy

 

[Gtowncrow]

You would back Dowling in before Sid. He has earned it, Sid has not.

Dowling should replace Murphy. Sid replaces Rankine.

Let these two boys loose and tell them a grand final awaits them. Just let them loose.

 

[TBM]

You would back Dowling in before Sid. He has earned it, Sid has not.

100% Dowling should be in first, but I'd love to see Draper follow suit. There's room for both.

 

[adelaidecrows]

There’s two spots now, Rankine and Murphy

In a smart selection you would back in Dowling and Sid, but we both know full well Nicks will see this as an opportunity to back in Murphy and Bring Crouch and Laird and keep Smith. Im not convinced Murphy is out until I see it.

 

[40porpoise]

Just has to play this week. Has all the tools to be a real x factor come finals. Im convinced we cannot win the flag with Murphy in the side