South Australia's number one draft prospect in 2024, Sid Draper is reportedly hesitant to be picked up by the Adelaide Crows in the upcoming National Draft, his management citing the club's handling of youngster Josh Rachele toward the end of the reason as a reason why.
The Crows hold pick four in November and may want to boost their young midfield stocks with a dynamic presence like Draper, who has been likened to Caleb Serong by AFL draft expert Cal Twomey.
Rival South-Australian club Port Adelaide want for nothing in their midfield, which looks set for at least the next half-decade, making Adelaide the logical choice for the South Adelaide prospect.
However, those closest to the 18-year-old are concerned about Adelaide's ability to manage their young players, in light of Josh Rachele's recent off-field antics, which culminated in his omission from the team for the final match of the season.
7NEWS understands the camp of SA's top draft prospect Sid Draper has reservations about him joining the Crows. It centres around the Josh Rachele saga. @joshmoney__ @7AFL #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/2eXBBaRKhc
— 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) September 25, 2024
7News Adelaide broke the development, revealing:
"With Adelaide holding pick four in the draft and in dire need of young midfielders, many expect the Crows to pursue Draper. But it's understood the All-Australian under-18 junior star prefers a move to a big Victorian club."
"The Draper camp was alarmed by Adelaide's handling of Josh Rachele at the end of the season, when he was dropped for the club's final game, and called out by a number of the Crows' leaders.
"Draper is a 182 centimetre midfielder from South Adelaide who averaged 22 disposals in his six league games this year."
Draper also averaged 23 disposals across two U/18 National Championship campaigns in 2023 and 2024.
