Essendon cult hero Sam Draper says he is able to turn into a extra constant power in 2023 because the Bombers look to develop a “nasty streak” in response to their critics.
The 24-year-old ruckman agreed with Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd’s name for the Bombers to play a much less sociable model of soccer this season after the younger facet slid out of the highest eight and into fifteenth on the ladder in 2022.
“If you want to be a good team, like say Geelong for example, they’ve got a bit of a nasty streak in them,” Draper mentioned.
“You’ve got to be really competitive, and we’ll hopefully get that out on the weekend as well.”
After enjoying each match final season to deliver his profession tally to 43 video games in six seasons on the Bombers, Draper mentioned he had taken an vital step ahead in his growth and was able to do the identical once more this 12 months.
“Last year was really important for me to play all 22 games … this year I’ll be looking forward to being more consistent and playing in more wins with the team I think ultimately,” he mentioned.
“Last year was a good stepping stone, and I’m ready to go to the next level this year.
“Just go out there and do my thing, and hopefully have some consistent performances and just play some dominant footy.”
The prospect of working with faucet rucking nice Paddy Ryder, who has returned to Essendon as indigenous participant growth supervisor, was a supply of pleasure for Draper.
“I was stoked to see (Ryder return), I’ve got two ruck coaches now,” he joked.
“I’m not sure how much time he will spend in the footy department, but even little chats here and there will be great.
“He’s someone I’ve looked up to for a long time, some of his centre bounce work is a work of art.”
A couple of Bombers beneath damage clouds forward of Round 1 will hit the monitor at The Hangar for a closing pre-season hitout in Essendon’s VFL facet on Saturday, Draper mentioned.
Matt Guelfi (calf) and Kyle Langford (again) had each “put their hand up” to be chosen within the Bombers’ season opener towards Hawthorn, he mentioned.
“It’ll be a bit of a headache for Brad (Scott) with who he’s going to select, which I think is a good thing for a team heading into Round 1, you don’t want it to just be an easy selection thing,” he mentioned.
Draper mentioned he was not sure of whether or not Jake Stringer (hamstring) or Dyson Heppell (foot) would return in time for Round 1 however mentioned they might each determine early within the season, whereas he rated Jye Caldwell an affordable likelihood of recovering in time from an ankle damage.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
