Player Watch Sid Draper

[Banrock]

Was he not coming of a injury or a genetic defect (pars defect) that would recitfy itself over time. Maybe they have given him a taste of AFL, like they did with Curtin, but then allowing his body to mature a little more and build up a bit more of a fitness base. This will allow him to attack next year with more confidence. He has a 12-15 year career in front of him, no need to blow him up in the first year.
I would look at Pat Cummings as an example. Hit the test scene as a 18 year old but had majority back issues. Built his body up over the next 4-5 years and came back into the fold as a 22-23 year old and hasn't missed many games because of injury since.
We have a midfield this year that is good, give the bloke a chance to settle in away from the spotlight a little.

 

[spenze]

I’m used to the club toadying now, it’s at the point that you just shake your head, like talking to a flat earther.

High end draft picks learn more in a competition that they excelled at last year than having a step up.

Much better to have Murphy and Chayce Jones

1

Chayce Jones

Age

25

Ht

180cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.0

3star

K

5.4

2star

HB

4.6

3star

M

1.7

2star

T

1.9

4star

CL

1.3

3star

D

8.9

2star

K

4.9

2star

HB

4.0

3star

M

1.4

2star

T

1.6

3star

CL

1.1

3star

D

9.4

3star

K

4.4

2star

HB

5.0

4star

M

1.6

2star

T

1.8

4star

CL

0.8

3star

take those games, no issue with that.

 

[davos44]

Mental gymnastics to back club decisions ie a sycophant

My wife was a gymnast, she said Sid Draper is developing nicely and has strung some decent games together of late but isn't quite ready.

 

[NSolis]

Do people advocating Draper’s selection right now think we would perform better against Collingwood this week with him in the team vs an alternative (Dowling, Pedlar, whoever), or is this with an eye to 2026? If it’s the latter, is there any point at which we should select for this week rather than for future development, i.e. where someone who is part of the future but not yet influencing AFL games should play reserves?

I feel like they’ve missed the boat a bit on Draper this year and it’s really hard to select someone on potential at this stage in the season. Should have played more through the middle of the year - though this is easy to say from 16-5 and on top of the ladder. As it is I think he’s probably playing every game in 2026, assuming he has a decent preseason. Similar to someone like Sanders.

 

[GreyCrow]

Do people advocating Draper’s selection right now think we would perform better against Collingwood this week with him in the team vs an alternative (Dowling, Pedlar, whoever), or is this with an eye to 2026? If it’s the latter, is there any point at which we should select for this week rather than for future development, i.e. where someone who is part of the future but not yet influencing AFL games should play reserves?

I agree its too late. The squad for all its worth is selected but yes I do believe he will be better than or equal to the others named

I feel like they’ve missed the boat a bit on Draper this year and it’s really hard to select someone on potential at this stage in the season. Should have played more through the middle of the year - though this is easy to say from 16-5 and on top of the ladder. As it is I think he’s probably playing every game in 2026, assuming he has a decent preseason. Similar to someone like Sanders.

I just think there is a spot for 1 player whether we are heading to 16-5 or 12-12

If a team cant carry a developing player then how do we evolve?

Can you say Jones output would be better than Drapers?

 

[NSolis]

I agree its too late. The squad for all its worth is selected but yes I do believe he will be better than or equal to the others named

I just think there is a spot for 1 player whether we are heading to 16-5 or 12-12

If a team cant carry a developing player then how do we evolve?

Can you say Jones output would be better than Drapers?

Nah, I think Draper would probably have outperformed Jones as the sub, at least offensively, but I think selecting Jones when they did and for the sub role specifically was pretty understandable. He certainly hasn’t delivered though - ditto for Cook, Nank and some others they’ve tried this year.

On the other hand Berry and Taylor have been good selections that didn’t necessarily have to happen. Mixed bag.

 

[ABAB]

Draper reminds me of watching Lance Picioane play for Adelaide. Where he seemed like the player with the most exciting potential in the squad for the first quarter he played. And beyond that not much of anything.

Didn't know Picioane was pick 4 but sure lol.

 

[Mr MysteryGuest]

This board's obsession with Dowling. I don't get it.

what obsession? He's in strong form and deserves a game. none of the fringe players ave lit up in the AFL.

 

[Southerntakeover]

Do people advocating Draper’s selection right now think we would perform better against Collingwood this week with him in the team vs an alternative (Dowling, Pedlar, whoever), or is this with an eye to 2026? If it’s the latter, is there any point at which we should select for this week rather than for future development, i.e. where someone who is part of the future but not yet influencing AFL games should play reserves?

I feel like they’ve missed the boat a bit on Draper this year and it’s really hard to select someone on potential at this stage in the season. Should have played more through the middle of the year - though this is easy to say from 16-5 and on top of the ladder. As it is I think he’s probably playing every game in 2026, assuming he has a decent preseason. Similar to someone like Sanders.

I don't think we would have been worse against West Coast if we had played him, and we still have the Kangaroos to come.

If we have a forced midfield change against Collingwood I'd far rather see what he's got to offer than (for example) retreating back to Crouch who we very much know what we'll get from.

 

[WeeBlake]

I don't think we would have been worse against West Coast if we had played him, and we still have the Kangaroos to come.

If we have a forced midfield change against Collingwood I'd far rather see what he's got to offer than (for example) retreating back to Crouch who we very much know what we'll get from.

I wonder if Max Holmes is a good model for Sid’s development. Played wing for a few years where he could use his pace before moving into the midfield.

 

[cleanhands]

I don't think we would have been worse against West Coast if we had played him, and we still have the Kangaroos to come.

If we have a forced midfield change against Collingwood I'd far rather see what he's got to offer than (for example) retreating back to Crouch who we very much know what we'll get from.

It will expose him to a high pressure game, no harm for the future, gives him an idea what to expect

 

[Go the Guts]

Jack Graham

17

Jack Graham

Age

27

Ht

181cm

Wt

85kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.7

4star

K

8.0

3star

HB

6.8

4star

M

2.1

2star

T

6.3

5star

CL

1.8

4star

D

11.8

3star

K

5.3

2star

HB

6.5

4star

M

2.8

3star

T

4.2

5star

CL

1.2

4star

D

14.0

4star

K

6.0

3star

HB

8.0

5star

M

1.8

2star

T

7.0

5star

CL

3.2

5star

was a premiership player in his 5th game.

Could Sid be our him??

 

[Southerntakeover]

It will expose him to a high pressure game, no harm for the future, gives him an idea what to expect

Worst case, cant see it being a significant downgrade on a Jones right now. Best case: he shows some spark, and who knows, maybe he can contribute to a finals run or at least be set up for next year.

I do think these conversations often reflect a mindset thing though: like we're afraid of losing because a young player is our 22nd player, rather than being concerned that the reason we've lost so many of these type of games in the past has been the performances of our more experienced players.

 

[Mr_Moogle]

what obsession? He's in strong form and deserves a game. none of the fringe players ave lit up in the AFL.

Look it's one thing to react to a high possession game in the SANFL but it's been like this ever since he was drafted. "Where is Dowling?", "We need more Dowling", "When Dowling isn't on screen, every other character should be asking where's Dowling?"

I'm just over it. I'm not that keen on his athletic profile and always suspicious of these jack of all trades, master of none type of players. Would love him to prove me completely wrong and develop into a real weapon. This is just how I see it atm.

 

[Southerntakeover]

Look it's one thing to react to a high possession game in the SANFL but it's been like this ever since he was drafted. "Where is Dowling?", "We need more Dowling", "When Dowling isn't on screen, every other character should be asking where's Dowling?"

I'm just over it. I'm not that keen on his athletic profile and always suspicious of these jack of all trades, master of none type of players. Would love him to prove me completely wrong and develop into a real weapon. This is just how I see it atm.

Ive got fever.

And the only prescription is more Dowling.

 

[Southerntakeover]

 

[CDC60]

I wonder if Max Holmes is a good model for Sid’s development. Played wing for a few years where he could use his pace before moving into the midfield.

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

 

[1990crow]

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

Has limited weapons. That’s a gag.

 

[cmndstab]

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

Gee, sounds like we shouldn't have given pick 4 for him then.

 

[adelaidecrows]

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

Bit tough to conclude what a players abilities are just on 9 games.

Nicks is a notoriously tough coach on youngsters and unless they are a star from day 1 they are almost certain to be stuck in the Sanfl. Another big factor is Sid being a fitness fanatic has meant he is very slim and to compete with AFL sized bodies may have been lacking. A pre season in the gym like will probably pay dividends like it did for Curtin.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Draper isn't playing now because we're winning.

Curtin finished 2024 with a block of 5 games because we were losing and couldn't make finals. Draper will get no such luxury.

Curtin played full back in the SANFL because Butts was out that week. He moved elsewhere as soon as Butts returned.

Michalanney played every game because Luke Brown

16

Luke Brown

Age

33

Ht

181cm

Wt

81kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.1

4star

K

8.9

3star

HB

5.2

4star

M

3.6

4star

T

2.0

4star

MG

273.4

4star

D

11.7

3star

K

9.3

4star

HB

2.4

2star

M

3.4

3star

T

1.4

2star

MG

273.4

4star

D

9.0

3star

K

5.4

2star

HB

3.6

3star

M

3.2

4star

T

1.4

4star

's career was ended by injury unexpectedly at 30yo and we didn't have anyone else.

Rachele played games early because we were coming off 18th/15th seasons.

There's no development reasons. Development just happens to occur. If you were being generous you could say that we philosophically believe that enough opportunities will present themselves organically during a football season so there's no need for us to engineer any.

If you weren't being generous, you might wonder what happens should Sholl (Plan A) and then Nankervis (Plan B) not provide ordinary output on the wing early in this season. Do we even make it to Curtin (Plan C) or does he continue to have minimal impact as 4th tall forward before being dumped into the SANFL to work on things?

Do enough development opportunities come along naturally? Or are we missing out on player development by not engineering opportunities ourselves? This year certainly gives a bit of weight to the former being correct. The previous 25 years not so much

 

[StonesThrow]

Draper isn't playing now because we're winning.

Curtin finished 2024 with a block of 5 games because we were losing and couldn't make finals. Draper will get no such luxury.

Curtin played full back in the SANFL because Butts was out that week. He moved elsewhere as soon as Butts returned.

Michalanney played every game because Luke Brown's career was ended by injury unexpectedly at 30yo and we didn't have anyone else.

Rachele played games early because we were coming off 18th/15th seasons.

There's no development reasons. Development just happens to occur. If you were being generous you could say that we philosophically believe that enough opportunities will present themselves organically during a football season so there's no need for us to engineer any.

If you weren't being generous, you might wonder what happens should Sholl (Plan A) and then Nankervis (Plan B) not provide ordinary output on the wing early in this season. Do we even make it to Curtin (Plan C) or does he continue to have minimal impact as 4th tall forward before being dumped into the SANFL to work on things?

Do enough development opportunities come along naturally? Or are we missing out on player development by not engineering opportunities ourselves? This year certainly gives a bit of weight to the former being correct. The previous 25 years not so much

You could search for reasons like that when we debuted every player.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

You could search for reasons like that when we debuted every player.

That's right, you could

And that's the problem

Or maybe it isn't and our approach has been right all along

 

[GreyCrow]

That's right, you could

And that's the problem

Or maybe it isn't and our approach has been right all along

All those flags say yes

 

[Southerntakeover]

All those flags say yes

All those elite players we've developed