Player Watch Sid Draper

[Alwaysacrow]

With Dowling coming in, I wouldn't be too surprised if those minutes go to Curtin. We've been toying with it a bit in recent weeks. Especially with how reluctant we've been to use Dowling as a forward.

I wouldn't personally. Tomorrow's game is the perfect one to see if Dowling can cut it against a decent AFL midfield. He's been killing it in the 2nds. I'd also prefer to keep Curtin mainly on the wing where he's been killing it. We lose nothing by trying Dowling in the middle that's the beauty of our ladder position.

 

[NSolis]

Pedlar has been just as shit as Murphy this year (outside of the West Coast game, but I'm not willing to take anything from that one as it's clear most of our good players didn't give a **** about that game), so no, Sid will be fine. As long as he doesn't have an absolute stinker against North.

Agree he’s been poor outside of the WC game but that was an influential performance compared to what we’ve picked up from the non-Rachele options in that role this year. 3 goals is a good return and it was his most recent game.

 

[Burtonsgottago]

He's been okay, his speed is undeniable, but his disposal has been poor at times and his decision making has been a bit scratchy as well.

So a fast Murphy?

 

[40porpoise]

If he plays he needs a couple of CBAs, that's where his best work is.

Really looking forward to tomorrows game now just to see Sid and Dowling.

Has genuine x factor

 

[Golumless]

I wouldn't personally. Tomorrow's game is the perfect one to see if Dowling can cut it against a decent AFL midfield. He's been killing it in the 2nds. I'd also prefer to keep Curtin mainly on the wing where he's been killing it. We lose nothing by trying Dowling in the middle that's the beauty of our ladder position.

We clearly don't see Dowling as an inside mid at AFL level (at the moment) considering our sub usage.

The thing you lose by trying Dowling is you aren't trying a much more talented player in Curtin. In a position where talent is the only factor that matters.

 

[KingChowder]

So a fast Murphy?

Probably more like a really poor man's Dangerfield

 

[skam85]

We clearly don't see Dowling as an inside mid at AFL level (at the moment) considering our sub usage.

The thing you lose by trying Dowling is you aren't trying a much more talented player in Curtin. In a position where talent is the only factor that matters.

It was good we rotated Dowling, Cumming and Curtin through the 2 wing roles today. 14 and 2 is a great return.

I would have liked Sid to have a full game and while he didn’t impact, running close with guys like LDU and Parker he would have learned plenty

 

[hippyhippy]

Looked like it took him a bit of time to get used to the afl level... too bad we wasted so many games on Murphy

 

[ams4crows]

Well he's not ready yet, he'll be afforded time because he's a top 5 pick but it looks like he's been overloaded with information. He looked better in preseason than he ever did at AFL level.

 

[MRB37]

His solution to games being syphoned to Kayo, and folks not being able to afford it was "go watch it at the pub" - woefully out of touch

I got kayo in the first place because it was cheaper in the long run than going to the pub

Does he still have financial investments in pubs in Adelaide?

 

[TBM]

Well he's not ready yet, he'll be afforded time because he's a top 5 pick but it looks like he's been overloaded with information. He looked better in preseason than he ever did at AFL level.

Agree and I’m a very big Sid fan. Good he got CBAs and exposure to LDU/Parker/Sheezel, but he looked overly conscious of structure and monitoring opponents versus playing on instinct and to his strengths of getting the ball.

One play in the middle, he got the hands off Dowling and didn’t give back to Billy before bombing it inside 50 to a Roos defender, wasn’t great.

I’m not worried, I think like Curtin he will improve in second year. With a full pre-season I think he’ll play Round 1, 2026. But being subbed off, I’m not sure if he holds his spot for finals.

 

[Dirty Bird]

I know this'll light a fuse because people are blind and hate to see/hear this. But;

1st year, 10 gamer Draper reminds me of 5th/6th year McHenry.

Both seem to lack composure in the thick of things.
Both seem to be good as the tactical sub once the speed has dropped and people are fatigued.

I know that comparison will have people about to kill me.

But I view that as okay for a 1st year player.

The talent is there. I've seen more talent in him than McHenry, I've seen more talent in him than Gallucci, I've seen more talent in him than Jones. The talent is there.

It's the composure. And to get that going, he needs experience. Sure, he's Ned McHenry

25

Ned Mchenry

Age

25

Ht

179cm

Wt

81kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.7

2star

K

4.0

2star

HB

5.7

4star

M

2.5

3star

T

2.3

4star

G

0.0

1star

D

9.7

2star

K

4.0

1star

HB

5.7

3star

M

2.5

3star

T

2.3

3star

G

0.0

1star

D

10.0

3star

K

3.6

2star

HB

6.4

4star

M

2.6

3star

T

2.0

4star

G

0.0

1star

right now, but if you're drafting peak Ned McHenry

25

Ned Mchenry

Age

25

Ht

179cm

Wt

81kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.7

2star

K

4.0

2star

HB

5.7

4star

M

2.5

3star

T

2.3

4star

G

0.0

1star

D

9.7

2star

K

4.0

1star

HB

5.7

3star

M

2.5

3star

T

2.3

3star

G

0.0

1star

D

10.0

3star

K

3.6

2star

HB

6.4

4star

M

2.6

3star

T

2.0

4star

G

0.0

1star

as a rookie, but actually have potential. Give him a go, he'll be good, he just isn't there now. But leaving him in the SANFL won't help him. Otherwise you're relegating him to be the next Gollant. Someone too good for SANFL, but not ready for AFL.

You blood talent in the AFL and hone his game that way. SANFL wont do him good.

There'll be growing pains. But it'll be worth it if we go the AFL route with Sid

 

[adelaidecrows]

I know this'll lite a fuse because people are blind and hate to see/hear this. But;

1st year, 10 gamer Draper reminds me of 5th/6th year McHenry.

Both seem to lack composure in the thick of things.
Both seem to be good as the tactical sub once the speed has dropped and people are fatigued.

I know that comparison will have people about to kill me.

But I view that as okay for a 1st year player.

The talent is there. I've seen more talent in him than McHenry, I've seen more talent in him than Gallucci, I've seen more talent in him than Jones. The talent is there.

It's the composure. And to get that going, he needs experience. Sure, he's Ned McHenry right now, but if you're drafting peak Ned McHenry as a rookie, but actually have potential. Give him a go, he'll be good, he just isn't there now. But leaving him in the SANFL won't help him. Otherwise you're relegating him to be the next Gollant. Someone too good for SANFL, but not ready for AFL.

You blood talent in the AFL and hone his game that way. SANFL wont do him good.

There'll be growing pains. But it'll be worth it if we go the AFL route with Sid

He just isnt ready. Some players take time. If you go back through some of the best players, some take a couple of years. Gary Ablett Jnr for an example was not a star player for the first 2 to 3 years of his AFL career. Took him 5 years to crack the midfield. I think our expectations for first rounders can be extraordinarily high with no real thought as to how hard AFL footy really is. Another two pre seasons, another 20 games of experience, he will start impacting the game. Dawson wasnt a star player either, neither was Rankine. Just showed glimpses. As a fan base we need to accept he has a wickedly high ceiling and he will grow into it.

 

[FantasticShirt]

Agree and I’m a very big Sid fan. Good he got CBAs and exposure to LDU/Parker/Sheezel, but he looked overly conscious of structure and monitoring opponents versus playing on instinct and to his strengths of getting the ball.

One play in the middle, he got the hands off Dowling and didn’t give back to Billy before bombing it inside 50 to a Roos defender, wasn’t great.

I’m not worried, I think like Curtin he will improve in second year. With a full pre-season I think he’ll play Round 1, 2026. But being subbed off, I’m not sure if he holds his spot for finals.

It's harsh but I genuinely don't want him to hold his spot. He couldn't match the game in a dead rubber at marvel in front of 23 people. Finals he's going to be a liability.

Not writing him off. But he's not ready.

 

[spenze]

It's harsh but I genuinely don't want him to hold his spot. He couldn't match the game in a dead rubber at marvel in front of 23 people. Finals he's going to be a liability.

Not writing him off. But he's not ready.

Of course he's not ready, he's been put down into a seconds league where he was Goddened.

You can't look at the kid that came on in the practice game against Brisbane and the one that played today and not think he has been ****ed with to his detriment.

It's sad but those games we had to put into Murph and Jones this year have stopped his development and he stayed in a leaggue where...well you know. If he gets "Jonesed " by those idiots then they need to be moved out of the club

 

[Scorpus]

Needs a massive pre-season and a reset where he's backed in to the A team from the start with a clear role that doesn't change week to week

 

[AFC979810]

He just isnt ready. Some players take time. If you go back through some of the best players, some take a couple of years. Gary Ablett Jnr for an example was not a star player for the first 2 to 3 years of his AFL career. Took him 5 years to crack the midfield. I think our expectations for first rounders can be extraordinarily high with no real thought as to how hard AFL footy really is. Another two pre seasons, another 20 games of experience, he will start impacting the game. Dawson wasnt a star player either, neither was Rankine. Just showed glimpses. As a fan base we need to accept he has a wickedly high ceiling and he will grow into it.

His point was to treat Draper like Gary Ablett.

Gazza played 12 full games in his first season. Then 20+ for the next 10 years.

Draper played 3 games this year (I am not counting the sub games).

 

[Danger in Texas]

His point was to treat Draper like Gary Ablett.

Gazza played 12 full games in his first season. Then 20+ for the next 10 years.

Draper played 3 games this year (I am not counting the sub games).

1) First year GAJ played for a team that won 50% of its games instead of 78%
2) every player’s rate of improvement year-on-year is different, even regression is possible in the development process, which is arguably what we’ve seen from Draper this year

Draper was not ready this year to hold his place in a contending team, we need to accept that. Hopefully we see a good level of improvement over the pre-season

 

[adelaidecrows]

His point was to treat Draper like Gary Ablett.

Gazza played 12 full games in his first season. Then 20+ for the next 10 years.

Draper played 3 games this year (I am not counting the sub games).

I get it, but who are we leaving out so Sid develops? When Ablett was developing Geelong were not a great side. They were throwing games into youngsters.

When we have a full list to choose from, who you leaving out? willing to put him in a finals game ahead of who? he just isnt ready and frankly i dont think he showed any glimpses that if he had 10 full games in a row he would have commanded his spot. Did he get a fair run at it, probably not. Not played in good positions etc.

 

[adelaidecrows]

1) First year GAJ played for a team that won 50% of its games instead of 78%
2) every player’s rate of improvement year-on-year is different, even regression is possible in the development process, which is arguably what we’ve seen from Draper this year

Draper was not ready this year to hold his place in a contending team, we need to accept that. Hopefully we see a good level of improvement over the pre-season

Ablett still took 5 years before he became a midfield star. Even Dangerfield took time. I think people had their heart set on the shiny new toy walking in from day 1 smashing up an AFL midfield. Too many fans got sucked into his raw speed and fitness as this AFL round 1 gimme.

Personally as a fan group we need to switch our thinking that the team is ready to operate on for the 'now' this means every player in that 23 has to be the best available to fill a role, especially in finals. Cant be selecting players now on the basis of building experience for the future.

 

[Danger in Texas]

Ablett still took 5 years before he became a midfield star. Even Dangerfield took time. I think people had their heart set on the shiny new toy walking in from day 1 smashing up an AFL midfield. Too many fans got sucked into his raw speed and fitness as this AFL round 1 gimme.

Personally as a fan group we need to switch our thinking that the team is ready to operate on for the 'now' this means every player in that 23 has to be the best available to fill a role, especially in finals. Cant be selecting players now on the basis of building experience for the future.

Yep. This pre-season would be the best opportunity for Draper to make a case to push for that permanent midfield spot - if he’s good enough he’ll make it too tough for Nicks to ignore

Look at Curtin - in and out of the side last year like a yo-yo (which caused some supporters to become skeptical of his ceiling), then plays every game this season

 

[moogerfooger]

The biggest issue with Sid's game yesterday was he just doesn't have connection with his teammates and doesn't really know where to run and how to fit in. It's obvious how well drilled the best 18 are - they've got enough experience and they've played together all year. Sid was trying too hard, trying to do too much himself.

Classic young player who has a lot to learn about AFL level football.

 

[1970crow]

Looked like it took him a bit of time to get used to the afl level... too bad we wasted so many games on Murphy

Played like a guy that wasn’t convinced he belonged and knew he had half a game to change that.

 

[davos44]

He just isnt ready. Some players take time. If you go back through some of the best players, some take a couple of years. Gary Ablett Jnr for an example was not a star player for the first 2 to 3 years of his AFL career. Took him 5 years to crack the midfield. I think our expectations for first rounders can be extraordinarily high with no real thought as to how hard AFL footy really is. Another two pre seasons, another 20 games of experience, he will start impacting the game. Dawson wasnt a star player either, neither was Rankine. Just showed glimpses. As a fan base we need to accept he has a wickedly high ceiling and he will grow into it.

Well said, he is a long term prospect and we don't have to play him in the AFL side immediately.

Some kids are a break out star, some aren't.

 

[glengowan]

The biggest issue with Sid's game yesterday was he just doesn't have connection with his teammates and doesn't really know where to run and how to fit in. It's obvious how well drilled the best 18 are - they've got enough experience and they've played together all year. Sid was trying too hard, trying to do too much himself.

Classic young player who has a lot to learn about AFL level football.

100% it’s a trait I’ve noticed earlier in the season too, re trying to do too much himself. That’ll be fine when he has the strength to break away and the skills to do something with it.

Have him lead the SANFL midfield in a finals series and a big pre-season and I’m sure he’ll be a regular in 2026.

He’s still very raw but has plenty of upside.