Training 2025 Pre-Season

[Mutineer]

Zac Taylor a concern if he wants to be a full time mid at AFL level.

Midfielder Zac Taylor, set to enter his fourth season, was regularly at the back of the pack for a second straight year.

Along with Sholl, Draper, and Drury, defender Hugh Bond and midfielder Billy Dowling were also towards the front of most runs.

Draper sat out each of the 150m dashes during the second half of the running but would be up the front when he rejoined the group for the 250ms.

 

[Mutineer]

https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/news/luke-nankervis-inks-twoyear-contract-extension-with-adelaide/news-story/70ec3ce92f7c309422de842a75f74ee9

Track watch: Izak Rankine’s high praise for new Crows draftee Sid Draper​

Izak Rankine has massive raps on the Crows’ newest top draftee after Adelaide completed its toughest training session of the year. See the full notes from the track.

Sid Draper’s impressive start as a Crow has continued in Adelaide’s gruelling last session before its Christmas break, earning high praise from teammate Izak Rankine.
Asked who had been setting the pace in the running, Rankine nominated the club’s top draftee as one of three standouts.

“Lachlan Sholl is always up there, Sid Draper is a fit boy and up they front a bit, dragging us along and putting a couple to the sword,” Rankine said.

“(SANFL signing Blake) Drury has slotted in pretty well, running well and using the ball well as well.”
It was not just the 18-year-old’s fitness that was catching Rankine’s eye.

“You obviously hear talk leading into the draft but to actually see it and how he gets to work, it’s pretty special,” the former Gold Coast speedster said.

“He’s a special kid and the last couple of weeks he’s actually dominated training. He’s come in, used the ball well, he’s evasive and explosive at the contest. He’s fit and ready to go, and we’re really excited.”

The Crows commended Draper’s leadership potential after they selected him at pick 4 last month.

A small example of his leadership was on show on Wednesday.

After every run, the South Adelaide product gave every teammate near him a high five or pat on the back, a tap on the leg or words of encouragement.

It was not forced or over the top or awkward, just a sign of maturity and the Crows’ ethos of prioritising others from this year’s South Australian under-18 captain.

“Having the confidence to do that shows the environment we’ve built in the last few years,” Rankine said.

“We’re all very close and get along.”

 

[Milo Cyrus]

If Draper is dominating the running, the rest of them should be embarrassed about that.

 

[Peter Doherty]

Zac Taylor a concern if he wants to be a full time mid at AFL level.

Maybe we should bring Ned back, because he worked out well.

 

[Danger in Texas]

Maybe we should bring Ned back, because he worked out well.

To be fair, you need to have both fitness and talent to really make it

Give Taylor Ned’s running ability and he might be our best midfielder haha

 

[Mutineer]

If Draper is dominating the running, the rest of them should be embarrassed about that.

This is Taylor's 4th preseason surely he shouldn't still be toiling at the tail of all running if he's to have an AFL midfield tank going forward?

 

[BRL121]

If Draper is dominating the running, the rest of them should be embarrassed about that.

He is not showing much nous there. Trying to make them look bad?

 

[BRL121]

This is Taylor's 4th preseason surely he shouldn't still be toiling at the tail of all running if he's to have an AFL midfield tank going forward?

I really rate him, but it seems clear why he slid in the draft now.

 

[Coopers]

Zac Taylor a concern if he wants to be a full time mid at AFL level.

Midfielder Zac Taylor, set to enter his fourth season, was regularly at the back of the pack for a second straight year.

Along with Sholl, Draper, and Drury, defender Hugh Bond and midfielder Billy Dowling were also towards the front of most runs.

Draper sat out each of the 150m dashes during the second half of the running but would be up the front when he rejoined the group for the 250ms.

So... Draper didn't do a bunch of the running, so he wasn't knackered like the others, so was out the front, is that right?

 

[1990crow]

I really rate him, but it seems clear why he slid in the draft now.

Small forward role might be interesting

 

[CroCop]

This is Taylor's 4th preseason surely he shouldn't still be toiling at the tail of all running if he's to have an AFL midfield tank going forward?

Taylor has had large chunks of 2 of those 4 seasons on the injury list . Think that may explain part of the reasoning why he isn’t up front .

 

[Mostyn]

So... Draper didn't do a bunch of the running, so he wasn't knackered like the others, so was out the front, is that right?

Quite often the new kids come in and do well at the running - you see that at other clubs. I have no idea why

 

[adelaidecrows]

So... Draper didn't do a bunch of the running, so he wasn't knackered like the others, so was out the front, is that right?

I would have suggested it was so he protects his hamstrings from over training. Probably a set design of building into pre season than letting recruits run themselves into the ground. I wouldnt over think it too much.

 

[Milo Cyrus]

I would have suggested it was so he protects his hamstrings from over training. Probably a set design of building into pre season than letting recruits run themselves into the ground. I wouldnt over think it too much.

What is concerning is that Rankine says Draper is dominating training, that should serve as a kick in the ass for the group. Accept mediocrity and that is what you get.

 

[FR0GGY]

Hopefully its a donation to charity.... but we know it wont be.

Why should port get the money?

 

[Alwaysacrow]

So I guess according to Nick's this will mean Draper is almost ready for round 3 in the AFL.

 

[Big Dub]

So I guess according to Nick's this will mean Draper is almost ready for round 3 in the AFL.

Nicks has many faults. Not playing round 1 debutants isn't one of them.

 

[adelaidecrows]

What is concerning is that Rankine says Draper is dominating training, that should serve as a kick in the ass for the group. Accept mediocrity and that is what you get.

Well he is super fit so he is probably pushing himself above and beyond expectation. Thats not a kick in the arse. It just highlights the difference between those who are naturally athletic and super fit and others who are just fit.

 

[adelaidecrows]

So I guess according to Nick's this will mean Draper is almost ready for round 3 in the AFL.

Only if he proves himself as a deep defender

 

[Coopers]

Quite often the new kids come in and do well at the running - you see that at other clubs. I have no idea why

Out to impress, and maybe not carrying the muscle yet?

I would have suggested it was so he protects his hamstrings from over training. Probably a set design of building into pre season than letting recruits run themselves into the ground. I wouldnt over think it too much.

I wasn't suggesting there was a problem, I'm just saying that he's out in front by such a long stretch cos he's more rested.

For example: I reckon I could do pretty well against the crows players if I only had to run 250m against them after they'd done 8km. Maybe I'd get drafted. At least I should be on the crows twitter.

 

[DJ75]

Quite often the new kids come in and do well at the running - you see that at other clubs. I have no idea why

I'd say a couple of reasons.
1. Less wear and tear on the body
2. They likely carry less mass
3. They are unaware of the impact of the length of the season and hit pre-season trying desperately to impress.

 

[Cromulant]

So I guess according to Nick's this will mean Draper is almost ready for round 3 in the AFL.

Not quite right, but sure go with it.

 

[Stephen2]

I'd say a couple of reasons.
1. Less wear and tear on the body
2. They likely carry less mass
3. They are unaware of the impact of the length of the season and hit pre-season trying desperately to impress.

4. He only did half the runs apparently (150m, not 250m)
5. Rankine is likely being supportive of a new bloke by saying nice stuff, it's all fluff

I really do hope Draper is Rd1 and forever though <3 we desperately need a Roo/McLeod level player, one of these days.

 

[Milo Cyrus]

Well he is super fit so he is probably pushing himself above and beyond expectation. Thats not a kick in the arse. It just highlights the difference between those who are naturally athletic and super fit and others who are just fit.

Exceptional fitness of a kid vs acceptance of mediocrity... We have been the masters of the latter in recent years, I'm getting another mid-low end table finish vibe already. Another long year ahead... I desperately hope not but I probably shouldn't expect miracles when the song remains predominately the same.

 

[Mostyn]

Exceptional fitness of a kid vs acceptance of mediocrity... We have been the masters of the latter in recent years, I'm getting another mid-low end table finish vibe already. Another long year ahead... I desperately hope not but I probably shouldn't expect miracles when the song remains predominately the same.

Lol, we've been in a full rebuild in recent years. What did you expect? Be the youngest team in the league and compete for a flag?

The only truly disappointing year was last year. We should have been 3+ wins better than that.

This year looks better. If we can get a full year from Thilthorpe, if Rachele plays as well as he looks - we have a bunch of players who should be continually improving, and they at least look like they're taking it very seriously.