AFL Draft 2024: Sid Draper says he’s happy to join Adelaide, reveals Jordan Dawson support
South Australia’s leading draft prospect Sid Draper has denied reports he is reluctant to be traded to Adelaide and revealed a message of support he received from a star Crow.
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Top South Australian draft prospect Sid Draper says he has “no reservations” about joining the Crows in November’s AFL national draft and is confident a chronic back injury won’t affect his football future.
A potential top-five pick, Draper revealed on Friday that he had received a text message of support from Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson after a story last week suggested that the 18-year-old had concerns about joining Adelaide – the club he had grown up supporting.
The story stated that the concerns centred on how Adelaide had managed some of its younger players, but Draper has since shot it down.
“I don’t know how that came about,” Draper said.
“My family and my manager have never ever said anything of the sort. What Adelaide do with their players is completely up to them and that does not hold me back in any way at the club.
“I’d be more than happy to go to the Crows. There’s no reservations at all.
“(Dawson) sent me a lovely message of support just saying I handled it well and that made me feel really good.”
Draper is not testing at this weekend’s draft combine in Melbourne, with the midfielder managing a back issue called chronic pars defect, which is a stress fracture of bones in the lower spine.
“I’ve had it for years and it’s become symptomatic now,” Draper said.
“The doctors and physio reassured me it won’t hamper my football at all. I am starting to get back into running and going to the gym now.
“By November 20th, I’ll be fit and ready to go.”
A dynamic onballer, Draper played six senior games for South Adelaide in the SANFL this season, averaging 22.2 disposals and 4.7 clearances.
He also captained South Australia at the under-18 national championships, after missing the start of the season with a stress fracture in his shin.
“I base my game on players like Zak Butters, Connor Rozee and Chad Warner – a mix of the three,” Draper said.
“I really enjoy watching those players play. I think they go about it the way football should be played, with speed, competitiveness and skill.”
Originally published as AFL Draft 2024: Sid Draper says he’s happy to join Adelaide, reveals Jordan Dawson support
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