Top-rated South Australian draft prospect Sid Draper has confirmed he has no hesitancy to join Adelaide following reports suggesting the talented teenager would prefer to be recruited elsewhere come November's AFL Draft.
Unrest at West Lakes surrounding the handling of former top 10 draft pick Josh Rachele reportedly sparked some concern from Draper's camp around a potential opportunity at the Crows, who hold Pick 4 at this year's intake - a potential landing spot for the South Adelaide prodigy.
Draper was blindsided by the suggestion, stating he, his family and his agent hold no reluctance to link up with Adelaide, with the 18-year-old open to moving to any part of the country to start his AFL career.
Crows captain Jordan Dawson reached out to Draper in recent weeks to express his delight in how the youngster handled himself in the wake of uncomfortable speculation, with Draper addressing the matter this week.
"I don't know how that came about. I, my family, my manager have never said anything of the sort," he said on Friday.
"What Adelaide do with their players is completely up to them, and that does not hold me back in any way of the club.
"I cleared it up and I'd be more than happy to go to the Crows. No reservations at all. I'm more than happy to go anywhere. Whichever club I'm lucky enough to have my name read out (by), I'll be more than happy to go there."
Draper has been able to 'pick the brain' of his older brother Arlo, who spent two years on Collingwood's lit after being drafted to the Magpies in 2021.
The 21-year-old, who played 31 games in the VFL during his time with Collingwood, returned to the Panthers in 2024 after being delisted, with the Draper brothers able to play six games at the SANFL level in the back end of the season.
That run of senior action gave Sid the platform to strengthen his stocks ahead of the AFL Draft, with the teenager featuring among South Adelaide's best players in most matches at the elite level.
The opportunity and conversations with his brother have only helped Draper prepare for life as an AFL footballer, with the SA ball magnet thankful for the opportunities he's been afforded at the Panthers.
"I pick his brain a bit," Draper said of his brother.
"He was at Collingwood for two years, hearing how he went at Collingwood, the ups and downs he faced and dealing with interstate travel has really helped me over the year.
"He's been through the draft, and everything that comes with it, so being able to converse with him and learn off him has been pretty instrumental for me.
"Stringing together six games (with him) was lucky. Not everyone gets to play with their sibling. You don't really notice it in the moment, but it was super surreal, and something we'll remember forever.
"Coming back from injury, it was tough with the State Champs, building up to full fitness, but that back end of the year, those last six games I was able to play, I think was my best football.
"Coach Jarrad Wright and the whole Souths group made it super easy for me to transition from state football to SANFL league. I'm grateful for them for making it such an easy transition, and that allowed me to perform."
Draper is in Melbourne for this week's Draft Combine, however, the 2023 South Australia MVP won't take part in testing due to a chronic pars defect in his back.
Setbacks have bookended Draper's 2024 campaign, with a stress fracture in his shin delaying his lead-up to this year's National Championships.
Draper has dealt with the back issue for several years, with the ailment failing to significantly hamper his football abilities.
The weekend also presents as a chance for Draper to meet with AFL clubs for a further round of interviews, with the speedy midfielder having already held talks with "most clubs".
"It's tough hearing you've got a stress fracture, wherever that may be, but you can't really let that dampen how you go about things," Draper said of his shin injury.
"I just put a goal in mind to get back to the Champs, and I made sure I came back the best way I could. I think I set myself up well.
"I've had [the back concern] for years, and it's sort of become symptomatic now. The doctors and physios have reassured me it won't hamper my football at all.
"I'm starting to get back into running and light gym now. We're just managing symptoms right now, and by November 20 I'll be fit and ready to go."
Draper averaged 22.2 disposals, 6.2 tackles, 4.7 inside 50s and 3.7 inside 50s across his six games at the SANFL level in 2024.
He won U18 All-Australian honours in both 2023 and 2024 to put a strong foot forward ahead of November's National Draft, which will take place over 20th and 21st.
