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CROWS SKIPPER’S MESSAGE OFSUPPORT FOR DRAFT HOPE

Top South Australian draft prospect Sid Draper says he has “no reservations”about joining the Crows in November’s AFL national draft and is confident achronic back injury won’t affect his football future.A potential top-five pick, Draper revealed on Friday that he had received atext message of support from Adelaide captain [PLAYERCARD]Jordan Dawson[/PLAYERCARD] after a storylast week suggested that the 18-year-old had concerns about joiningAdelaide – the club he grew up supporting.The story stated that the concerns centred on how Adelaide had managedsome of its younger players, but Draper has since shot it down.“I don’t know how that came about,” Draper said. “My family and mymanager have never ever said anything of the sort. What Adelaide do withtheir players is completely up to them and that does not hold me back in anyway at the club.“I’d be more than happy to go to the Crows. There’s no reservations at all.“(Dawson) sent me a lovely message of support just saying I handled it welland that made me feel really good.”Draper is not testing at this weekend’s draft combine in Melbourne, with themidfielder managing a back issue called chronic pars defect, which is a stressfracture of bones in the lower spine.“I’ve had it for years and it’s become symptomatic now,” Draper said.“The doctors and physio reassured me it won’t hamper my football at all. Iam starting to get back into running and going to the gym now. By November20th, I’ll be fit and ready to go.”A dynamic onballer, Draper played six senior games for South Adelaide in theSANFL this season, averaging 22.2 disposals and 4.7 clearances.10/5/24, 11:37 AM The Advertiserhttps://todayspaper.adelaidenow.com.au/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&edid=b5c9d757-1050-4944-a101-9f067edd1766 1/2He also captained South Australia at the under-18 national championships,after missing the start of the season with a shin stress fracture.