Sam Draper’s story in 2024 was one of perseverance.

The 25-year-old is no stranger to setbacks, having rebounded from multiple injuries including an ACL tear early in his career, but the big man had to work particularly strongly this time to get over a lingering groin injury that cut into his entire pre-season program. 

Overcoming the injury as well as another knee arthroscopy mid-season, Draper still managed to suit up for 16 games, his second-best effort for appearances in a season behind his 2022 breakout year where he played every game.

Particularly in the second half of the season, Draper looked to have rediscovered a confidence in his body and on-field physicality, which he attributes to diligence during his rehabilitation.

“It did take a lot of time, effort and patience to work through but to stick at it and overcome the injury was pretty big for me,” Draper said.

“Once I got my knee cleaned up halfway through the year, I was back to feeling like I used to. I felt a lot more powerful and explosive, covering the ground well.

“Even though I missed some footy on account of the surgery, it ended up being a blessing to get back to that feeling of freedom and play some okay footy in the back end of the year.”

Draper’s approach during rehab extended from physical recovery to a focus on strengthening his mental game, seeking avenues both in and out of the club to assist his build back to playing.

Those habits have helped lay strong foundations for Draper in his attempts to remain injury-free looking ahead.

“In addition to spending time with our physical team here, I explored some other avenues away from the club which really helped me a lot as well,” Draper said.

“I really built a strong physical routine to help me perform physically and mentally with a mobility coach, a mental skills coach and focusing on some intentional breathwork activity.

“All those areas combined have really allowed me to set up that base and progress forward.”

In recent seasons, Bomber fans have seen Draper begin to learn his craft as a resting forward when the side has elected for a two-ruck setup, with experienced head Todd Goldstein and emerging youngster Nick Bryan utilised in the line-up at different stages.

Hitting the scoreboard in each of the Dons’ final six games, Draper’s keen to keep pursuing his potential output in multiple roles and build the on-field chemistry alongside his ruck partners.

“I’m proud that I’m taking that opportunity on (to learn playing forward),” Draper said.

“It's always beneficial for you and the team to learn another position and even though I see myself predominantly as a ruckman, I was pretty happy to put my hand forward as we saw later on in the year.

“Having ‘Goldy’ at the start of the year was huge for me, given where I was coming from. To share the load with him was quite beneficial and he was elite to learn off, both for myself and ‘Bryza’.

“(Bryan’s) worked so hard and played some really good VFL footy, so he deserved that opportunity and went really well when the chance came. It’s nice working together when we opt to play two rucks and I’ve really enjoyed it.”

The prospect of a first full pre-season in two years lies ahead of Draper now, who’ll be using the next few months to try and set the tone for his 2025 campaign.

Factoring where he’s come back from, the ruckman is excited to get back to work uninterrupted.

“Considering where I was at this time last year, I wasn’t in a great spot to be honest,” Draper said.

“I’ve had to overcome a lot during that time including the groin injury over summer, which was the most challenging period of my career so far.  You do go to some dark places in those moments thinking ‘will I ever get myself right at all’.

“I can really set myself up now and actually have the opportunity to work away at some areas of my game I’ve really wanted to focus on.

“I only joined in full training around March this year and didn’t really have a pre-season to speak of, so I can build that connection with the boys and properly attack it now.

“I’m ready to launch into this off-season in a much better position than last year.”