AFL Player # 2: Sam Draper - The mullet hath returneth - 22/6

[Dave]

Contract Status: Out of contract 2025
My Boy Draft 2024: Pick 20, TheUnicorn

 

[Yoda_]

What are you talking about he was close to BOG yesterday and the coaches saw it the same way.

Yes, Shai has also had some incredibly good games and was duly rewarded. I gave him votes, not BOG votes but one of his best games. People seem to get seduced by his highlights reel rather than his output.

 

[andleanback]

Yes, Shai has also had some incredibly good games and was duly rewarded. I gave him votes, not BOG votes but one of his best games. People seem to get seduced by his highlights reel rather than his output.

His ‘highlights’ are glimpses of what he could be, he’s still a baby in ruckmen terms. I was very critical of Draper in the first half of the year and even thought he should’ve been dropped at one point, but his last 6-7 weeks have been outstanding. The last piece of the puzzle in his game was the around the ground marking and whether he can do it consistently in a game. And he showed that yesterday in spades.

 

[Yoda_]

His ‘highlights’ are glimpses of what he could be, he’s still a baby in ruckmen terms. I was very critical of Draper in the first half of the year and even thought he should’ve been dropped at one point, but his last 6-7 weeks have been outstanding. The last piece of the puzzle in his game was the around the ground marking and whether he can do it consistently in a game. And he showed that yesterday in spades.

I am not suggesting for a second that what we see is the finished product, just that there isn't a great deal more than those few highlights we've been given. Yesterday was the closest to his best all round game I have seen from Sammy at AFL level.

As I mentioned in my last post, one game does not make a player, if Sam backs it up again this week, and then the next we can start to really take him as seriously as the most professional of analysis but right now, he shows glimpses in one area but not all, and vice versa week in, week out.

 

[NAB777]

I couldn't see what others were seeing with this guy...but he has the tools to be one of the best in the game - ruckman or not - within the next 2-3 years.

 

[bacon buster]

he only had 60% game time too, which was surprising. we obviously want to get that up to 75-80% with additional fitness and stamina.

only knock on his game was i thought he was beaten in the first quarter by Cox, which wenmt some way to our deficit at quarter time

but he was dominant, when on the ground, after that,

 

[BrunoV]

His ‘highlights’ are glimpses of what he could be, he’s still a baby in ruckmen terms. I was very critical of Draper in the first half of the year and even thought he should’ve been dropped at one point, but his last 6-7 weeks have been outstanding. The last piece of the puzzle in his game was the around the ground marking and whether he can do it consistently in a game. And he showed that yesterday in spades.

This is true but even in fits and spurts he's already one of our most influential players.

 

[faible]

I am not suggesting for a second that what we see is the finished product, just that there isn't a great deal more than those few highlights we've been given. Yesterday was the closest to his best all round game I have seen from Sammy at AFL level.

As I mentioned in my last post, one game does not make a player, if Sam backs it up again this week, and then the next we can start to really take him as seriously as the most professional of analysis but right now, he shows glimpses in one area but not all, and vice versa week in, week out.

The gap between his best and worst right now is very wide. Hopefully with age he narrows that gap, because his best is exceptional.

 

[bombadeer]

Very similar player to Nit Nat - can see him getting to that level. A knock on Nit Nat has been his consistency and tank.

Both players are incredible athletes but there are the laws of physics to contend with.

 

[NAB777]

Very similar player to Nit Nat - can see him getting to that level. A knock on Nit Nat has been his consistency and tank.

Both players are incredible athletes but there are the laws of physics to contend with.

I think he's going to be a better mark than Nic.
I knew Nic Nat didn't take many marks, but I was pretty shocked to see his average is 1.7 per game....!

 

[Vindicater]

Very similar player to Nit Nat - can see him getting to that level. A knock on Nit Nat has been his consistency and tank.

Both players are incredible athletes but there are the laws of physics to contend with.

Nic Nats tank though was effected so much but multiple injuries. If Draper can get a clean run at it his tank shoould be fine.

 

[The Devils Advocate]

Goodbye Mullet.
Shh!

 

[citizen-erased]

Goodbye Mullet.
Shh!

why though

 

[naraku]

Mullet is tucked in the cap I believe.

 

[Mr Mojo Risin]

Me watching the last two weeks of Draper has basically just been the dumb and dumber smiling and nodding at each other gif on repeat

 

[MiguelM]

Mullet is tucked in the cap I believe.

 

[TheUnicorn]

Goodbye Mullet.
Shh!

Like actually ?? I’m actually mad…

 

[TheUnicorn]

Thank god

 

[TheUnicorn]

 

[The Devils Advocate]

Ez bait

 

[eth-dog]

View attachment 1459894

Good show that

 

[Albertross]

He knows how to play the game, not just talking about the actual game, but THE media game!

Such a character, love everything about him. Quickly becoming my favourite player.

 

[Lore]

Cuddles with his mini-me

 

[Yoda_]

Given a ruck lesson by one of the better ruckman of this century. Goldstein is a genuinely good player and some forget how dominant he has been.

No shame in that but a lesson he should take on board. Did do better in the second half of the game.

 

[Zach Package]

The old ‘shit, he’s left handed, what do I do now?’

Goldy been doing it to blokes for 15 years

 

[eth-dog]

Given a ruck lesson by one of the better ruckman of this century. Goldstein is a genuinely good player and some forget how dominant he has been.

No shame in that but a lesson he should take on board. Did do better in the second half of the game.

Not really a lesson. Goldstein was better, sure, but hardly a big difference that lesson implies