Welcome Welcome Josh Draper!! - 2022 Cat B Rookie List

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Just watched the segment on the Sunday Footy show.

Full credit to Matthew Boyd & I’m sure the rest of the backline group. Draper has come a long way in a short period of time & his positioning in many pressure situations was fantastic. I’m sure Alex Pearce deserves a lot of the credit, no doubt he’s worked closely with him over the last couple of seasons.
 
Will be as good or better player for Freo than Michael Johnson.
 

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Josh Draper reveals WAFL reality check resulted in his game saving heroics against Sydney​

If not for a WAFL reality check, Josh Draper doesn’t believe that he would’ve been capable of his game saving heroics against Sydney writes ELIZA REILLY.

3 min read
July 3, 2024 - 7:57PM

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 29: Joel Amartey of the Swans competes for the ball against Joshua Draper of the Dockers during the round 16 AFL match between Sydney Swans and Fremantle Dockers at SCG, on June 29, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 29: Joel Amartey of the Swans competes for the ball against Joshua Draper of the Dockers during the round 16 AFL match between Sydney Swans and Fremantle Dockers at SCG, on June 29, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

He was the hero of Fremantle’s incredible upset win over Sydney.
But if not for being omitted a fortnight ago, Josh Draper wouldn’t have been brave enough to save the game against Sydney.
Stepping up in the absence of captain Alex Pearce, the 20-year-old made a series of clutch plays in the dying minutes against Sydney, including two intercept marks and a handful of spoils against Sydney tall Hayden McLean.
McLean had kicked two goals and reeled in seven marks before the final quarter kicked off at the SCG. And if not for a WAFL reality check, Draper doesn’t believe that he would’ve attacked the contest so feverishly in the last five minutes.
“It was around being more decisive in my contest and I thought I brought that in the Sydney game,” Draper said of the feedback he received after being dropped before in favour of debutant Hugh Davies. “It was good for me to go through that and work on my game and get better.

“My mindset changed. When I got dropped, I went back to the drawing board and really changed my mindset.
“I wanted to be confident. I’m only young. I’m only in my second year. I’m only going to keep building.
“It was an unreal win to be a part of. To get the win at the SCG was pretty crazy. I’ll remember it for the rest of my career.”
Stand-in captain Andrew Brayshaw was full of praise for Draper’s final quarter, lauding his ability to stand up under pressure.
“He was in a really vulnerable position on a number of occasions and he was able to hold his own and win it,” Brayshaw said. “I love playing with Drapes. He backs himself in.
“When he does that, he’s a really hard opponent to play on. It’s not an easy position (to be in), some of those looks that he had.
“We probably hung him out to dry a few times in one-on-ones but he was able to stand up, win those one-on-ones and get us going the other way again.”

Despite finding himself in precarious positions against McLean, Draper revealed it was instinct, not by design, that he played in front of the 197cm spearhead.
“My strength is my athleticism so I tried to get the ball at the highest point,” he said. “That’s what I did.”
The display also marked a significant step in Draper’s development given the last time he was under that much pressure, he conceded a final quarter goal to Charlie Curnow that kickstarted Carlton’s last-gasp win in round four.
“A game that comes to my mind is the Carlton game,” Draper said. “I guess it was good to go through those experiences early in my career.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 29: Joshua Draper and [PLAYERCARD]Sean Darcy[/PLAYERCARD] of the Dockers competes for the ball against [PLAYERCARD]Hayden McLean[/PLAYERCARD] of the Swans during the round 16 AFL match between Sydney Swans and Fremantle Dockers at SCG, on June 29, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 29: Joshua Draper and Sean Darcy of the Dockers competes for the ball against Hayden McLean of the Swans during the round 16 AFL match between Sydney Swans and Fremantle Dockers at SCG, on June 29, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

“It’s going to make me a better player. I thought I stood tall and that was off the back of my teammates as well, setting me up in the right spots.”
Draper was snubbed for an AFL Rising Star nomination this week in favour of Gold Coast’s Will Graham though it’s not something that’s played on his mind.
“I don’t really care about the Rising Star award,” he said. “I keep focusing on my role each week.”
Draper is also set to soon be under pressure to retain his spot in the side once Pearce and Brennan Cox return from injury lay-offs. But the NGA academy graduate said that the skipper has been a big factor in his development this season.
“He’s been very good for me,” he said. “I’ve been having conversations with him and he’s been giving me confidence to go out there and play his role.
“He said (before the Sydney game) to play to my strengths and to keep being me and keep doing what I’m doing. It’s okay to make a mistake and lose a contest but to get back up and get going.
“I’ll take it one week at a time. We’re a big loving group down there. I’ll keep learning every week and getting better.”
 
Josh’s poise, football skills, decision making and confidence belie his young age.

He’s a Michael Johnson clone who wears his jumper number with pride.

What an asset for our Club.
 
Draper has debuted at a similar age to the great MJ. MJ preseason draft 2004. Played a few games 2005. Goal with 1st kick? Never dropped from 2006 on. Played a few at Perth/Peel coming from injury, suspension?
Sitting at same table as Coach 2006 preseason, Coach remarked that his plan was to play MJ in defence as he kicked the ball so well.
That worked I think.
 
I didn't realise just how important a Rising Star nomination was to young players until I listened to Hayden Young on Better Down Back. He said he felt like he was letting Freo down if he didn't get one, especially after being such a high draft pick.

You could tell Young and Clark were disappointed, but being recognised by your team mates has to also be amazing for Draper. He stands out as someone who has an abundance of humility and not driven by his ego.
 
www.fremantlefc.com.au

Draper a Rising Star!

Fremantle’s Joshua Draper has been named the round 20 Telstra AFL Rising Star nominee
www.fremantlefc.com.au www.fremantlefc.com.au

Joshua Draper has been nominated as the round 20 Telstra AFL Rising Star following his performance during Saturday’s RAC Derby 59 win.

“It feels good to get some recognition but I’m just going to focus on my role and keep doing my job for the team,” Draper said speaking at his Monday afternoon media conference.

Draper, who is of Ethiopian descent on his mother's side, was drafted to Fremantle from Peel Thunder as a Category B Rookie in 2022 after spending time in Fremantle’s Next Generation Academy since he was 13.

He was mentored by former Fremantle players Tendai Mzungu and Roger Hayden, something that the Rising Star credits for his on-field success.

“Tendai Mzungu and Roger Hayden have been essential for me and my development,” Draper said.

“Coming through the ranks of the NGA they give you the skills to succeed both on the field and off the field.”

Experienced defender and backline mentor of Draper, Luke Ryan was the one who announced the good news in front of the group, in something that Draper insisted was ‘really special’ for him.

“It was really special, getting words from him (Luke Ryan) as well as he’s been a big mentor for me,” he said.

“Alex Pearce and Brennan Cox as well, all the key defenders are helping me with my game.”

Drapers nomination comes after he gathered a career-high 18 disposals (six kicks, 12 handballs) at 94 per cent efficiency, four marks, three intercept possessions and 207 meters gained in Saturday's 35-point RAC Derby win.

It’s not the first time Draper has stood tall for the Club, playing 16 games since making his debut in round two earlier this year, the young key defender has frequently matched up on some of the league’s best key forwards while filling in for injured teammates.

“I think it’s a good opportunity for me to play against those keys (forwards) and get the experience now and just develop,” Draper stated.

“Against Carlton and Charlie Curnow earlier in the year, he’s one of the best forwards in the competition and it gave me the confidence that if I’m playing to my best then I can play at the level.

“We are a six verse six backline so there isn’t always a direct matchup, I just focus on my role and what I can do for the team.”

This was highlighted in Fremantle's one-point win against the Swans, with the 20-year-old standing tall in the absence of captain Alex Pearce, taking eight marks, seven intercept possessions, four rebound 50s, and 14 disposals at 86 percent efficiency, being involved in a number of critical moments in the game's final minutes.
 

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Welcome Welcome Josh Draper!! - 2022 Cat B Rookie List

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