South Aussie Select with Sid Draper

By ZAC MILBANK

There is little doubt Sid Draper will be the first South Australian selected in the 2024 AFL Draft.

But has the South Adelaide midfielder prepared himself for the possibility he could still be the No.1 pick next Wednesday night?

In such an even draft pool, Draper – the latest guest on South Aussie Select – is tipped to land in the top five but hasn’t been ruled out of contention as the first name called on the night.

Regardless, the level-headed SA U18 captain knows it is just a number once he enters the AFL system, where he is determined to make an impact from Round 1 of 2025.

Draper revealed his agility and ability to negotiate his way through traffic to burst out of the stoppage was in large part due to his time playing tag rugby before he picked up a footy for the first time at age 12.

He was then inspired by his older brothers Manny and Arlo, determined to prove to his siblings that he could improve his skills after initially beginning his career in the back pocket at Willunga.

Confirming he is a loyal Crows fan, Draper idolised Adelaide fan favourite Rory Sloane and has taken aspects from his style, as well as that of Power star Zak Butters, and injected them into his own game.