STRENGTHS:

+ Agility
+ Clean hands
+ Leadership
+ Professionalism
+ Speed
+ Work rate

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Durability
- End product

The trait which immediately stands out with Draper is his turn of speed. He posted the top agility test time nationwide during the 2023 preseason (7.80 seconds), and it translates on-field where he is near-impossible to lay a hand on. Some of his best action shots this year feature him literally standing on his toes as he darts away at angles which defy belief.

His lightning acceleration makes him an asset in bringing contested ball to the outside. Draper's hands on the inside are supremely clean, and once he recaptured his usual touch as the season wore on, he got to showcase that kind of ability at senior level. He also uses his speed to take the game on in attacking phases, making carving runs through the corridor to set up scores.

One of Draper's best plays throughout his junior career came late in last year's SANFL Under 18s Grand Final, where he took off with three bounces before helping set up Dakota Sterzl for the game-sealing goal. Not only was it a passage which highlighted his enormous talent, but also the guile to recognise when a big moment arrived, and the bottle to take it.

What sets Draper apart even further is his work rate. He is capable of repeat sprint efforts and gets from contest to contest effectively. In that aspect, and with the aforementioned traits, he suits the modern game as a midfielder with balance who can impact on the way forward. The Adelaide supporter even models his game on Port stars Connor Rozee and Zak Butters.

For all his brilliance on the field, Draper also fits the bill off it. He is a diligent and thoughtful in his preparation throughout the week, investing heavily in his football to get the best out of himself. He can also lift others and has been entrusted with leadership roles throughout the pathway. It was no surprise to see him return from injury so emphatically, such is his professionalism.

In terms of his improvement areas, Draper sought to add polish to his disposal this year. Given he often moves at high speeds, his disposal can sometimes waver, though he backs himself in the way of decision making. Durability is the other slight question mark given his relatively slight frame and injuries on the back of a heavy preseason workload. He worked through it, though.