Player Watch Sid Draper

[I Lost My Keays]

Nah.

A block of 6, then a week off, another 5, a week off etc.

No player who hasn't done a full pre season can play 24 games let alone a 19yo

Fair call, but we should’ve been prioritising him over Berry none the less

 

[GreyCrow]

Nah.

A block of 6, then a week off, another 5, a week off etc.

No player who hasn't done a full pre season can play 24 games let alone a 19yo

Are you now comfortable with him playing a minimum of 15 games in 2026?

And to clarify I dont care about form as much as others

Its about getting games and getting used to the speed

 

[Cromulant]

Are you now comfortable with him playing a minimum of 15 games in 2026?

And to clarify I dont care about form as much as others

Its about getting games and getting used to the speed

15 at a minimum yes

 

[skam85]

That won’t be his role 5 years from now, but it’s a way to get him in to the game. I also don’t see why he couldn’t make valuable contributions as a forward? In particular at forward stoppages, having 2 of Rankine, Rachele and Draper, and sometimes all 3 would be a nightmare for opposition defences. Being able to rely on scoring from forward stoppages is one of those things that can really separate you from other sides.

The way to get a young midfielder into the game is half back not the dead half forward role.

Look at the likes of Sheezel and Nick Daicos

 

[skam85]

Are you now comfortable with him playing a minimum of 15 games in 2026?

And to clarify I dont care about form as much as others

Its about getting games and getting used to the speed

23 games barring injury

 

[Soggy2112]

The way to get a young midfielder into the game is half back not the dead half forward role.

Look at the likes of Sheezel and Nick Daicos

There’s more than one way to do it. I.e. Rankine as a forward.

Daicos and Sheezel have skillsets that are more suited to half back than the forward line.

Draper is more suited to being a forward IMO. I’d still be having him spend a lot of time on ball too.

 

[Brenton Davy]

There’s more than one way to do it. I.e. Rankine as a forward.

Daicos and Sheezel have skillsets that are more suited to half back than the forward line.

Draper is more suited to being a forward IMO. I’d still be having him spend a lot of time on ball too.

Would rather see him on a wing. Give him time and space.

 

[Crow till I die]

Back him in day 1 preseason in that midfield group and empower him by saying you are starting round 1 and we are going to play you. Curtin too in the guts. We need a new look in there with Dawson and Rankine and if it needs time to gel so be it. We are not going to win finals with the current mix

 

[Soggy2112]

Back him in day 1 preseason in that midfield group and empower him by saying you are starting round 1 and we are going to play you. Curtin too in the guts. We need a new look in there with Dawson and Rankine and if it needs time to gel so be it. We are not going to win finals with the current mix

I definitely agree that the Dawson, Berry, Soligo, Peatling, Laird combo won’t get it done.

However, Dawson, Rankine, Curtin, Rachele, Draper, and two of Soligo/Berry/Peatling might be.

Id still be looking at who is available through trade/free agency, but if there’s nothing available I think the above can work.

 

[Crow till I die]

I definitely agree that the Dawson, Berry, Soligo, Peatling, Laird combo won’t get it done.

However, Dawson, Rankine, Curtin, Rachele, Draper, and two of Soligo/Berry/Peatling might be.

Id still be looking at who is available through trade/free agency, but if there’s nothing available I think the above can work.

Hope we could get one of Bailey or Butler, that would be the go to combine with your mix above. Peatling / soligo in a second or 3rd rotation. Soligo is probably a good sub player to bring on but he is not the one for me to be in the 1st or second midfield rotation...if we are talking about building a midfield to compete for a flag

 

[Soggy2112]

Hope we could get one of Bailey or Butler, that would be the go to combine with your mix above. Peatling / soligo in a second or 3rd rotation. Soligo is probably a good sub player to bring on but he is not the one for me to be in the 1st or second midfield rotation...if we are talking about building a midfield to compete for a flag

I think he’ll be fine as the 3rd-4th guy.

 

[Soggy2112]

Hope we could get one of Bailey or Butler, that would be the go to combine with your mix above. Peatling / soligo in a second or 3rd rotation. Soligo is probably a good sub player to bring on but he is not the one for me to be in the 1st or second midfield rotation...if we are talking about building a midfield to compete for a flag

I’m not sure if Windhager is still available but he could be a good option too.

 

[imagifED]

What happened to the Draper at the start of the year? The one that was kicking good goals against NM and Geelong.

 

[Crow till I die]

I’m not sure if Windhager is still available but he could be a good option too.

Did a u turn apparently and is staying at St Kilda

 

[jackster83]

What happened to the Draper at the start of the year? The one that was kicking good goals against NM and Geelong.

Nicks

 

[bettingonbetts]

What’s with the negative comments circulating about Draper?
We can be so negative at times as a club.
I’ve never been so excited for a recruit, he definitely will need some time. I can see the disappointment as some players shone in their first year eg Langford, Murphy etc.
What about Dan Curtin? People were saying he was a waste last year…but look how he’s turned out now

Sid will be a jet in time and I suspect he plays from round 1 next year.

 

[Cuzz09]

Reckon he has 20+ AFL games in him next year.

 

[Doctor B]

What happened to the Draper at the start of the year? The one that was kicking good goals against NM and Geelong.

Is our development style to get our kids to concentrate on weaknesses and the defensive side of the game?

I think embracing and encouraging their strengths and giving them work ons works much better for their confidence and fast tracks them.

Also playing them in their best position in the twos.

 

[hugecannon]

Is our development style to get our kids to concentrate on weaknesses and the defensive side of the game?

I think embracing and encouraging their strengths and giving them work ons works much better for their confidence and fast tracks them.

Also playing them in their best position in the twos.

Wouldn’t have hated the coaches giving him some time across HB at SANFL level, give him some time and space watch the game unfold and let him run and attack.

would have loved if they’d given Edwards some time as our central midfielder rather than play HB all year.

 

[Daniel6]

I hope he has a fortnight’s break, then starts his own preseason. Get himself super fit and gives Nicks no reason not to play him.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Hopefully we've realised that our centre square midfield as it stands isn't good enough

 

[Daniel6]

Hopefully we've realised that our centre square midfield as it stands isn't good enough

Contract year, win zero finals. I cannot see him having the courage to play a bunch of 19 year olds and risk missing finals.

He will squeeze the lemon until every bit of juice has been extracted. That’s why Keays and Laird moved into the midfield late Friday night.

 

[TheLeftFist8]

Apart from perhaps Soligo, have we actually developed a decent midfielder or simply made them worse?

 

[Scorpus]

Apart from perhaps Soligo, have we actually developed a decent midfielder or simply made them worse?

I'm pretty sure Soligo was a two way running accumulator at junior level

 

[Burtonsgottago]

Also Nicks and the coaches need to rewatch what made him such a high pick and let him develop in that role regardless of the inevitable inconsistency he will deliver.

He’s an attacking mid - let him attack without being a complete slave to structures and just allow him to be free
to develop at his own rate

Can’t have Sid in the middle…. where then would we put Berry, Laird, and Keays?