Farewell #19 Arlo Draper

[BazBoy]

“Curtains “ a nickname floating around for this lad

He has said of Craig McRae “ He’s incredible “

[Charlie Oneeye]

One day we will read :

Curtains for Curtains

or

Curtains for Draper

[Rd10.1998_11.1#36]

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2021/12/08/draftee-dubbed-curtains-says-collingwood-the-last-team-he-expected-to-pick/

[Dave The Man]

[Rd10.1998_11.1#36]

I think the reality is we probably didn't expect him to slide so far in the draft... you can't be telling every player you like you want to draft them, not after the first round anyway

[Harrysz]

Collingwood traded to get a position to draft him ahead of Essendon. They were keen to get him.

I don't think he's played in any of the practice matches. Does anyone know what his training form has been like?

[Pies2016]

He started behind the rest after shoulder surgery late last season. He won’t be rushed in his first season after such a modified program.
Pretty sure he has played in the seconds ( B ) team over the last week or two.
He plays very tall and is pretty quick for a utility flanker. Came to the club needing to work on his defensive side of the game but does have some serious tools. Most experts had him as a value pick but who knows.

[Harrysz]

Thanks Pies 2016

[#26]

Drafting guys, who have slid in the draft, due to injury, thinking we're picking up a bargain. Could this be a contributing factor to our constant injury woes? 🤔

[Pies2016]

^ ^ ^

These days, shoulder surgery isnt a big deal, particularly with the young blokes. Most shoulder surgeries have a knock on effect where they ultimately make that area stronger. We also picked up Begg on the back of shoulder surgery, so being unavailable for 6 months as an 18 year old makes little difference to your list in the short term.
There’s obviously an increased risk that comes with drafting kids recovering from ACLs. In recent years, Brodie Kemp, Elijah Hollands and Max King were all taken as first round picks while recovering from ACLs ( in fact two of them were well inside top 10 ) so those clubs would remain a bit nervous for the next couple years.
You can’t overlook a player who is regarded as one of the top ten talents in the country for to long, otherwise you’re simply giving the opposition a free hit.

[matrix10]

[#26]

Well I hope he's not injury prone or fragile. I worry about players who are cracking up at the junior level. Makes me wonder how their bodies are going to hold up under the rigours of AFL.

[Dave The Man]

[#26]

[Lazza]