Sam Draper
2021 Stats
Goals
1
Behinds
3
Disposals
66
Kicks
46
Tackles
15
44 hitouts, 18 disposals v. Western
Draper machined 18 disposals, five clearances and marks each, four tackles and two behinds to go along with 44 total hitouts Sunday as Essendon fell to Western 85-36 in an elimination final at UTAS Stadium.
ANALYSIS
Draper fashioned his best performance of the year on Sunday, notching personal-bests in each of the following categories: kicks (12), handballs (6), disposals, hitouts, inside 50s (5) and rebound 50s (5). That saw the 22 year-old ruck top 100 fantasy points for the first time in his career and finds him closing out 2021 currently ranked the AFL's No. 13 for hitouts per game (24.23).
Draper fashioned his best performance of the year on Sunday, notching personal-bests in each of the following categories: kicks (12), handballs (6), disposals, hitouts, inside 50s (5) and rebound 50s (5). That saw the 22 year-old ruck top 100 fantasy points for the first time in his career and finds him closing out 2021 currently ranked the AFL's No. 13 for hitouts per game (24.23).
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Off injury list
Draper (ankle) is not listed on the injury report ahead of a Round 14 matchup versus Hawthorn.
ANALYSIS
Draper hasn't played since Round 2 with an ankle syndesmosis injury. The 22-year-old ruck averaged 20 hitouts and four tackles across two matches to begin the season prior to his injury.
Draper hasn't played since Round 2 with an ankle syndesmosis injury. The 22-year-old ruck averaged 20 hitouts and four tackles across two matches to begin the season prior to his injury.
Could return in Round 11
Draper (ankle) is listed as a test for Round 11 against West Coast, according to High Performance Director Sean Murphy.
ANALYSIS
Draper has been out since Round 2 with an ankle syndesmosis injury and could return to face the Eagles and support Andrew Phillips at ruck. It'll take two to tango if Draper does return as Nic Naitanui tends to win the positional battle even if he ends up losing the game.
Draper has been out since Round 2 with an ankle syndesmosis injury and could return to face the Eagles and support Andrew Phillips at ruck. It'll take two to tango if Draper does return as Nic Naitanui tends to win the positional battle even if he ends up losing the game.
Dealing with syndesmosis injury
Draper suffered a syndesmosis injury and return in 8-10 weeks, his club announced Monday.
ANALYSIS
Draper came down awkwardly after attempting a mark and the injury has proven to be a long-term problem. With Draper out for a couple of months, someone else will need to step up as the primary ruck for the Bombers.
Draper came down awkwardly after attempting a mark and the injury has proven to be a long-term problem. With Draper out for a couple of months, someone else will need to step up as the primary ruck for the Bombers.
Injures ankle in loss
Draper likely suffered a high ankle sprain during Saturday's Round 2 loss to Port Adelaide, according to coach Ben Rutten. "[Draper has] one of those high ankle [injuries] we think at the moment, but we'll have to investigate a bit further."
ANALYSIS
Draper may have the least serious injury picked up in Saturday's match, but a true high ankle sprain tends to linger for a good amount of time. Of the ruck options out there, Draper is more of a middling value pick with 40 disposals through two rounds, even with this injury.
Draper may have the least serious injury picked up in Saturday's match, but a true high ankle sprain tends to linger for a good amount of time. Of the ruck options out there, Draper is more of a middling value pick with 40 disposals through two rounds, even with this injury.
Lands first AFL goal
Draper managed 13 disposals (nine kicks, four handballs), one mark, one goal and one behind in Friday's 59-55 loss to the Giants.
ANALYSIS
Draper celebrated in style after booting the first goal of his young AFL career. Unfortunately, it came in a losing effort as the Bombers snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Starting in the ruck for the Bombers, Draper has yet to break out but is certainly showing some promising signs.
Draper celebrated in style after booting the first goal of his young AFL career. Unfortunately, it came in a losing effort as the Bombers snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Starting in the ruck for the Bombers, Draper has yet to break out but is certainly showing some promising signs.