Player Watch Sid Draper

[Mutineer]

They get their cut from the SMA at Adelaide Oval.

Not sure why though. They no longer hold either AFL licence and the AFL paid out all their debt as part of the move from Football Park.


They are a handbrake on Footy in this State. Key reason why Qld/NSW are going past us.


The standard of facilities and coaching in NSW/QLD/Victoria is way beyond anything the SANFL clubs provide.

But hey "second best league in the country".......

And a good percentage of the players that are playing SANFL League games these days aren't SA homegrown either.

A hell of a lot imports from the VFL, Tassie, WAFL and even interstate local leagues, even players that went through the Swans, GWS, Suns and Lions Academies but didn't get drafted are being keenly sought by SANFL clubs.

 

[Cromulant]

They get their cut from the SMA at Adelaide Oval.

Not sure why though. They no longer hold either AFL licence and the AFL paid out all their debt as part of the move from Football Park.


They are a handbrake on Footy in this State. Key reason why Qld/NSW are going past us.


The standard of facilities and coaching in NSW/QLD/Victoria is way beyond anything the SANFL clubs provide.

But hey "second best league in the country".......

The fact Victoria have a seperate league for their elite kids whilst SANFL clubs are left to fund their own development, which isnt their primary reason for existence, has always bothered me.

We'll still get the odd elite kid come through via weight of numbers, but its not through any good planning.

 

[Pea Nut]

The fact Victoria have a seperate league for their elite kids whilst SANFL clubs are left to fund their own development, which isnt their primary reason for existence, has always bothered me.

We'll still get the odd elite kid come through via weight of numbers, but its not through any good planning.

What are the private school pathways like in SA ?? And the SANFL Under 18s comp seems like a very good standard. Which can then provide exposure to senior level football. And Melbourne is what, five times the population of Adelaide. That is a significant factor.

 

[Cromulant]

What are the private school pathways like in SA ?? And the SANFL Under 18s comp seems like a very good standard. Which can then provide exposure to senior level football. And Melbourne is what, five times the population of Adelaide. That is a significant factor.

The top end of town take the majority of kids.

I get the funding is hugely different, but half the SANFL clubs are flat out running mens and womens programs, let alone juniors.

 

[cmndstab]

I’m no medico but my nephew had the same surgery 2 weeks ago after copping a knee to the face in a tackle. It is operated on to speed up recovery and ensure there are no alignment issues and further complications from that in the future. It’s relatively minor surgery really and doesn't take long to compete from everything I heard from the surgeon and his team. Don’t even stay in overnight.

They're listing Draper as having an indeterminate length of recovery but at least a month. I have no knowledge about recovery times for jaw surgery but that sounds pretty significant to me.

 

[Cromulant]

They're listing Draper as having an indeterminate length of recovery but at least a month. I have no knowledge about recovery times for jaw surgery but that sounds pretty significant to me.

I'd have thought 3 or 4 weeks ??

 

[cmndstab]

I'd have thought 3 or 4 weeks ??

I'm only going by Braden Ingram's tweet, but he says "Timeline for Draper’s return is unclear but likely to miss at least a month and possibly more."

 

[Pea Nut]

They're listing Draper as having an indeterminate length of recovery but at least a month. I have no knowledge about recovery times for jaw surgery but that sounds pretty significant to me.

Yeah, a month to recover and play professional level football again. Not a month before he can chew again. And the recovery time is just to ensure it has fully healed and would withstand another impact without undoing the surgery.

 

[conVINCEd]

Why ??

We use Dr Jones and Partners, one of the more respected radiologists out there. Swelling can easily mask a small fracture. That's why we went and did another one.

Cos I’m cranky at Sid copping a broken jaw and wanted to lash out.

 

[Cromulant]

I'm only going by Braden Ingram's tweet, but he says "Timeline for Draper’s return is unclear but likely to miss at least a month and possibly more."

A month to play footy is about right.

You cant eat properly for half of that.

 

[Cromulant]

Cos I’m cranky at Sid copping a broken jaw and wanted to lash out.

Thats fair

 

[Geoffa32]

I’ve spent a heap of time in Adelaide over the past two years on and off, and I can tell you the facilities, coaching and development in QLD is miles off what you guys have down here. And so is the standard of footy. Don’t underestimate just how good footy is in SA. The standard of footy in the top end ammo leagues in Adelaide, the SFL and some of the country leagues blows away the QAFL. There are so many guys down here running around playing for fun that could go up to QLD, get paid to play QAFL and tear the comp apart. Sure QLD junior numbers are good, but it still doesn’t translate to quality and depth in the senior competitions.

Are you talking senior level or elite juniors?

Senior Footy, yeah agree.

The elite pathway for 15 to 18 year olds is the difference.

 

[Geoffa32]

The fact Victoria have a seperate league for their elite kids whilst SANFL clubs are left to fund their own development, which isnt their primary reason for existence, has always bothered me.

We'll still get the odd elite kid come through via weight of numbers, but its not through any good planning.

That is what the SANFL clubs want though.

 

[Cromulant]

That is what the SANFL clubs want though.

They do, but very few of them are full of kids theyve developed.

 

[Mattrox]

So, a fractured jaw and surgery but no report from the game.

 

[Mr MysteryGuest]

I'll bet you he wasn't cited because we initially reported no damage, as well.

How do you manage to not diagnose a broken ****ing jaw?

He still missed the rest of the game and would have had a potential concussion even if his jaw wasn't broken

 

[Pea Nut]

Are you talking senior level or elite juniors?

Senior Footy, yeah agree.

The elite pathway for 15 to 18 year olds is the difference.

Well both to an extent. There’s only so many spots in the Lions and Suns academies, and outside of that, you’re left floundering at your local QAFL club, whose development pathways are non existent compared to what I have seen of the SANFL Under 16s and 18s. And there is no elite school based competition up there either. All the private schools are Rugby Union or bust.

 

[Mattrox]

I missed the bit earlier in the thread. Was reading the update from the crows page.
Makes a mockery of the SANFL. This needs follow up. And not one of those famous "strongly worded letters". Actual follow up.

Starts with ignoring free kicks which should be paid, then players have license to play over the edge of the rules.

 

[Mutineer]

Well both to an extent. There’s only so many spots in the Lions and Suns academies, and outside of that, you’re left floundering at your local QAFL club, whose development pathways are non existent compared to what I have seen of the SANFL Under 16s and 18s. And there is no elite school based competition up there either. All the private schools are Rugby Union or bust.

The way Queensland's 2 academies are going it won't be too long before they can field a standalone team in the Nationals actually.

In recent weeks the Lions Academy has had a solid wins in the Talent League over 2 very strong teams in Gippsland Power and the Sandringham Dragons.

And both the NSW clubs Academies had big wins the last 2 weeks over the Oakleigh Chargers, Murray Bushrangers, Tassie Devils and the Eastern Ranges.

Might be time for the Crows and Power to have "real" academies of their own.

Check the current Talent League ladder

https://www.playhq.com/afl/org/talent-league/talent-league-2026/talent-league-boys/925416ca/ladder

 

[TRP1996]

I think Sid should be suspended for recklessly using his head as a battering ram against a poor innocent Sturt players precious weak little arm.

 

[Mutineer]

Well both to an extent. There’s only so many spots in the Lions and Suns academies, and outside of that, you’re left floundering at your local QAFL club, whose development pathways are non existent compared to what I have seen of the SANFL Under 16s and 18s. And there is no elite school based competition up there either. All the private schools are Rugby Union or bust.

Check the current Talent League ladder

https://www.playhq.com/afl/org/talent-league/talent-league-2026/talent-league-boys/925416ca/ladder

 

[Jarman3]

The fact Victoria have a seperate league for their elite kids whilst SANFL clubs are left to fund their own development, which isnt their primary reason for existence, has always bothered me.

We'll still get the odd elite kid come through via weight of numbers, but its not through any good planning.

Thats the thing - there's not much incentive for the SANFL clubs to invest in elite youth development. If it actually succeeds then they lose the player to the AFL. Makes more sense for them to throw money at players coming out of the AFL system rather than trying to feed them into it.

 

[Sizzlepack]

It'll get lost in the context of the injury and broader anxieties about his progress but I thought Draper was playing pretty well before the injury. I like him buzzing about at half-forward and, to crib a point Golumless has made a few times, I don't fully understand why we've not tried him there at AFL level.

 

[Jarman3]

It'll get lost in the context of the injury and broader anxieties about his progress but I thought Draper was playing pretty well before the injury. I like him buzzing about at half-forward and, to crib a point Golumless has made a few times, I don't fully understand why we've not tried him there at AFL level.

How much game time has he been playing in the SANFL? Have they been managing his minutes to try prevent a recurrence of the groin injury? Perhaps they don't want to risk him at AFL level until they're confident he won't injure it again?

 

[Burtonsgottago]

WTF. The Sturt player wasnt cited? How CORRUPT is this competition? Thats mind blowing

Lost faith in this Mickey Mouse league when North beat Eagles in a prelim with an extra player on the field.