Draper relishing his surprise life in Freo backline

Rising Fremantle star Josh Draper has thanked the club’s coaching staff for taking a punt on him in defence, saying he’s loving life as part of the backline crew.

Draper has been one of the Dockers’ biggest success stories this year, with the 20-year-old already notching 16 games in his debut season and drawing comparisons to Fremantle great Michael Johnson along the way.

What makes Draper’s instant success even more astonishing is the fact that he was an out-and-out forward when he arrived as a Next Generation Academy rookie pick at the start of 2023.

With Freo already boasting a stacked attack, coach Justin Longmuir and his staff made the decision to turn Draper into defending.

It’s proven to be a masterstroke, with Draper filling in admirably for Brennan Cox and Alex Pearce during their injury setbacks this year.

With Pearce to miss at least another three weeks with his second fractured arm, Draper will play a key role in the Dockers’ push to lock down a top-four berth.

“In juniors I played forward. This is only my second year playing back,” Draper said ahead of Sunday’s crunch clash with Essendon at the MCG.

“I’m still learning. I love playing back.

“When I came here in my first year, they didn’t know where to play me.

“I’m loving the decision (to move me to defense). The boys have welcomed me with open arms and I feel like the coaches have put their time in me and helped me develop and grow. I’m grateful.”

Draper was listed as 197cm before the season, but some people around the club reckon he has grown a touch since then.

His aim is to add a bit more weight to his 93kg frame, but he has already proven to be a weapon in the air and at ground level.

“JLo (coach Justin Longmuir) and the other coaches and the boys, they give me so much confidence to take the game on, just drive my legs because I’m very hard to tackle,” Draper said.

“I’m very athletic as well, so if I bring my strengths, it makes the team better.”

With Pearce due back in time for the start of the finals, Draper is no guarantee to taste September action.

It’s a position Draper accepts, with his main goal to remain ready for whenever the team needs him.

Draper is expecting Essendon to “bring the heat” after the Bombers (10-8-1) crashed to 10th on the ladder following six losses from their last eight games.

Fremantle (12-6-1) started the round just percentage adrift of the second-placed Brisbane Lions.

The Dockers recalled Neil Erasmus to replace Nat Fyfe (suspended), while Essendon have dropped Peter Wright and Dyson Heppell.