AFL Draft 2024: Adelaide Crows select homegrown star Sid Draper with its first pick

In the build up to the draft, rival clubs were split on what the Crows would do – take the homegrown talent or the powerful Victorian. But the decision was about far more than that.

Adelaide has opted for the local over the Victorian, choosing South Australian under-18 captain Sid Draper with one of its earliest ever selections.

The Crows snared explosive midfielder Draper at pick 4 as the top of the national draft order went to script at Marvel Stadium on Wednesday night.

Rival clubs had expected Adelaide to decide between the South Adelaide star and powerful Dandenong Stingrays on-baller Harvey Langford, most tipping Draper.

After three Victorians went with the opening three selections, the lifelong Crows fan became the first SA prospect chosen.

Richmond took GWV Rebels bull Sam Lalor at No. 1, North Melbourne grabbed versatile Oakleigh Chargers on-baller Finn O’Sullivan second then Carlton went for his ball magnet teammate Jagga Smith at No. 3, allowing Adelaide to swoop on the homegrown product.

Sid Draper is an Adelaide Crow. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Draper gets his Adelaide jumper from former skipper Nathan Van Berlo. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Crows recruiting boss Hamish Ogilvie told this masthead Draper would bring a different mix to the club’s engine room, which was “starting to look in a pretty good shape”.

“He brings something different to everyone’s mix because that speed, power, agility combo is so rare,” Ogilvie said.

“It’s a reason why we rated Sid so highly.

“He can play half-forward, he trained with the club over summer, his GPS stuff impressed Burgo (fitness boss Darren Burgess).

“He’s a super high character with some real leadership potential.

“He’s a great kid who loves the Crows and wants to play for us, and that doesn’t happen very often.”

Ogilvie said while the local factor was a bonus, the club simply had to pick the best player at that part of the draft.

Fast, agile and hardworking, Draper has been compared to Power captain Connor Rozee.

The 182cm Crows recruit overcame shin issues early last season to play six league games for the Panthers and earn All-Australian honours.

He averaged 22.2 disposals, 4.7 clearances and 3.7 inside 50s for South Adelaide, along with 21, 3.8 and 3.3 across four matches for SA’s under-18s.

“That senior form would say he’d be pushing for selection in our team,” Ogilvie said.

The moment Sid Draper became a Crow 💫 pic.twitter.com/Jy4J2x2dfN

— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) November 20, 2024

The moment his name was called on Wednesday night. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

Adelaide had looked at trading up to pick 2, where it was expected to take Victorian midfielder Jagga Smith.

But Ogilvie said North Melbourne did not show massive enthusiasm for a deal.

Draper said joining the Crows was a dream come true.

“It’s so special,” Draper told Fox Footy.

“We’ve been barracking for the Crows for as long as I can remember.”

AFL talent ambassador Kevin Sheehan described Draper as dazzling and dynamic.

Fox Footy draft expert Mick Ablett said Draper’s two-way running was fantastic for his age.

“He’s already got a really nice balance of being on the front foot, attacking, hurting opposition teams but also working hard defensively, which will hold him in really good stead in Matty Nicks’s team early in 2025,” Ablett said.

Draper becomes Adelaide’s second-highest national draft selection in club history, behind only key forward Riley Thilthorpe (No. 2 in 2020).

The Crows are expected to take father-son forward Tyler Welsh with its only other selection on Thursday night.

Welsh, the son of four-time Adelaide leading goalkicker Scott Welsh, played with the club’s SANFL side this season.

Originally published as AFL Draft 2024: Adelaide Crows select homegrown star Sid Draper with its first pick